SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Playing at home for the first time in three weeks, No. 7 Santa Clara women's soccer bounced back with a commanding 4-1 win over Saint Mary's Sunday afternoon.
The Broncos (12-2-1, 3-1 WCC) offense shined again, outshooting the Gaels (6-7-2, 1-3-1 WCC) 22-6 while putting 10 shots on goal. Kelcie Hedge led the way with a pair of goals and an assist and now has five goals in her last four games. Santa Clara also got goals from sophomores Kelsey Turnbow and Julie Doyle.
The sophomore duo opened the scoring with two goals in the first nine minutes of action. Turnbow scored in the second minute off an assist from Marika Guay when she dribbled into the box and hit a right-footed shot inside the near post. Less than seven minutes later, Doyle took a low pass in the box from Hedge and one-timed her attempt to make it 2-0.
Hedge's first goal of the game was set up by a free kick in the 54th to make it 3-0. Alex Loera took the kick from 30 yards out and chipped it to a running Hedge who volleyed her shot into the back of the net.
Her second came in the 73rd. This time, Maria Sanchez, the WCC leader in assists with nine, slipped a pass to her that she gathered and beat the keeper far post to make it 4-0.
The Gaels managed to get on the board in the 74th minute and avoid the shutout. AnnaMaria DiGeronimo got control of the ball outside the box and ripped a shot into the upper-right corner of the net to make it 4-1.
HIGHLIGHTS
HIGHLIGHTS | Kelsey Turnbow and Julie Doyle scored early and Kelcie Hedge doubled up in the second half of today's 4-1 victory! #StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/82pT7jYlvW
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) October 14, 2018
QUOTABLE
VIDEO | Head coach @SCUJerrySmith discusses Sunday's impressive 4-1 victory over @SMC_WSoccer in @WCCsports action. Hedge scored twice and Doyle and Turnbow also hit the back of the net for the #SCUBroncos. #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/b1RMx3Gw9E
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) October 14, 2018
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 34-3-5 all-time against Saint Mary's and is 15-0-3 in the last 18 meetings.
- After missing three of the last four matches while being away with the Mexican National Team, Maria Sanchez made her return to the Broncos lineup.
- Sanchez's nine assists are the most by a Bronco since Megan Kakadelas had 14 in 2002.
- Turnbow's goal came at the 1:47 mark, tied for the 13th fastest in program history.
- All 26 eligible players appeared in the match.
- Santa Clara now leads the WCC with 34 goals scored.
UP NEXT
Santa Clara remains at home to take on Portland Friday at 7 p.m.
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