SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The 12th ranked Santa Clara women's soccer team faced a tough North Texas team Monday night at home but came away with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
The Broncos (3-0) held the advantage in shots 15-2, including 11-1 in the second half, but the Mean Green (2-1-1) defense caused trouble all night, blocking several shots and only yielded on a penalty kick. Santa Clara's backline, however, was just as sharp, not allowing a shot on goal all night.
"North Texas was a very tough team," Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith said. "They were well organized and very good and what they tried to do. I was impressed with how hard they worked and how disciplined they were about executing their gameplan. We are very happy about the win, the shutout, and that we didn't give up any shots on our goal tonight."
Kaile Halvorsen was taken down in the box in the 74th minute setting up the lone goal of the match. Maria Sanchez took the penalty kick and finished low and inside the right post, past the diving keeper who guessed correctly.
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 1-0 all-time against North Texas.
- Santa Clara starts the season 3-0 for the first time since 2011 when they beat San Jose State, UC Santa Barbara, and Cal Poly. The Broncos tied their next four before having their seven-game unbeaten streak snapped.
- This was the Broncos first clean sheet of the year.
- Eleven different Broncos had at least one shot.
HIGHLIGHT
VIDEO | The number nine is a good one for the #SCUBroncos right now - @Maria17_7 sports that number and the team is ranked No. 9 in the country!#StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/oU1Q2VNqjH
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) August 30, 2018
INTERVIEW
VIDEO | Goalkeeper Melissa Lowder, who has not surrendered a goal this season, discusses Monday's hard-fought 1-0 victory over @MeanGreenSoccer. #SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/FOoSFsI4YL
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) August 28, 2018
UP NEXT
The Broncos are right back at it against Kansas State Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at home.
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