SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's soccer won its season opener 2-0 over Portland Saturday afternoon at Stevens Stadium.
The Broncos (1-0, 1-0 WCC) dominated the first half, scoring a pair of goals while outshooting the Pilots (1-2, 0-2 WCC) 13-1 and 6-1 in shots on goal. The second half was a different story as Portland held a 3-2 edge in shots.
After some good chances that weren't cashed in, Kelsey Turnbow got Santa Clara on the board in the 31st minute with a corner that she hooked inside the far post.
The Broncos would add another in the 43rd minute, this time from Izzy D'Aquila. Sally Menti won a header in the air that she knocked to Turnbow who flicked a one-timer behind the defense. D'Aquila ran it down and finished inside the right post.
Marlee Nicolos made two saves in net, one on a nice reaction to a hard shot from Sophia Mattice.
Mattice's shot in the 68th minute was Portland's only dangerous chance of the day.
Jenny Whalen made four saves for the Pilots.
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 21-15-4 all-time against Portland
- Sally Menti, Marisa Bubnis, Makoto Nezu, Marlee Nicolos all started in their collegiate debut.
- Kelsey Turnbow is now two assists away from becoming the eighth Bronco with 25 goals and 25 assists in her career. She has 36 goals and 23 assists.
- Head coach Jerry Smith picked up his 498th career win, all coming with Santa Clara.
UP NEXT
The Broncos host Saint Mary's Saturday at 1 p.m.
HIGHLIGHTS | Goals by Kelsey Turnbow and Izzy D'Aquila, plus a big stop from Marlee Nicolos in Saturday's Spring 2021 season-opening victory over Portland!#StampedeTogether #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/IrwO6dS6Ko
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) February 27, 2021
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