SANTA CLARA, Calif. – No. 19 Santa Clara women's soccer used its potent offense to top Cal 4-1 Monday night in the home-opener at Stevens Stadium.
The Broncos (2-0) struck early and continued the offensive attack, scoring all four of their goals off of headers, with Maria Sanchez leading the charge by picking up four assists. Maddy Gonzalez added her team-leading third of the year and DB Pridham scored a goal and added an assist.
Santa Clara outshot Cal (1-1) 14-3 and held an 8-2 advantage in shots on goal, while keeping the ball in the Bears half of the field for much of the game.
A corner in the 12th minute led to the first goal of the game. Sanchez sent the ball into the six-yard box and Pridham was there to head it in.
The Broncos struck again just before halftime to make it 2-0 going into the break. Sanchez set the goal up again with a perfect ball right to the head of Kelcie Hedge in the box who found the back of the net.
Another header, this one in the 58th minute made it 3-0. Pridham crossed it from the left side of the box and Gonzalez dove forward to finish inside the near post.
In the 60th, Kelsey Turnbow used her head to join the party. Again, Sanchez made a nice cross and Turnbow headed the ball into the back of the net to give Santa Clara a 4-0 lead.
A red card on Natalie Kennedy in the 79th minute set up a free kick for just outside the box. Mia Corbin took the kick and Courtney Ogren made a save but it bounced back out right to Kayla Fong who finished to make it 4-1.
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS | �� + ⚽ x 4 = ��#StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/fY6f19Q5nC
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) August 21, 2018
QUOTABLE
VIDEO | @SCUJerrySmith discusses Monday's home-opening 4-1 victory over @CalWSoc. Four #SCUBroncos hit the back of the net (all on headers) and @Maria17_7 set up 3 of those goals. #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/LjIe9LOeZi
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) August 21, 2018
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 19-22-7 all-time against Cal.
- With her four assists, Maria Sanchez tied a Santa Clara record. The only other player to accomplish the feat was Mandy Clemens vs. Portland on Oct. 29, 1999.
- There were seven cards in the game. Four yellows against Cal, two yellows against Santa Clara, and a red against Santa Clara.
- Ogren came in for Melissa Lowder and played the final 30 minutes.
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The Broncos have a week off before returning to action at home against North Texas on Aug. 27 at 7:30 p.m.
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