MALIBU, Calif. – No. 4 Santa Clara women's soccer was upset 1-0 at Pepperdine Sunday afternoon, snapping the Broncos eight-match unbeaten streak and nine game West Coast Conference winning streak. Santa Clara has not won in Malibu since 1999.
The Broncos (11-2-1, 2-1 WCC) held the advantage in shots 13-6 but put just four on goal, including missing a penalty kick in the first half that would have given them a lead.
"I'm really proud of our team's effort today," Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith said. "We created a number of really good scoring chances but their keeper did a great job all day, including on the penalty kick, and got the shutout. Pepperdine's determination to keep the ball out of the goal was outstanding and the difference in the game."
Just minutes after the failed penalty kick, Meghan Healy put the Waves (7-6-1, 2-1-1 WCC) up in the 44th minute. The ball bounced over to Healy in the left side of the box and she volleyed into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
Santa Clara's most dangerous chance came when DB Pridham was taken down in the box in the 41st minute. Kelcie Hedge took the chance but Pepperdine keeper Brielle Preece guessed right on the shot low and to the left post to keep it scoreless.
Both goalkeepers played well with Preece making four saves and Melissa Lowder picking up three for the Broncos.
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 14-11 all-time against Pepperdine and has lost 10 in a row in Malibu dating back to 1999.
- Senior Maria Sanchez was absent for the Broncos as she is off playing with the Mexican National Team at the CONCACAF Women's Championship.
- Santa Clara has been shutout just twice this year, both times in losses (Sept. 2 at No. 8 Texas A&M).
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Santa Clara returns home to take on Saint Mary's Sunday at 1 p.m.
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