Nov. 3, 2002
PORTLAND, Ore. - The seventh-ranked Santa Clara University women's soccer team upset fourth-ranked Portland 1-0 this afternoon at Merlo Field in Portland. The decision moves the Broncos to 13-4-1 overall, 5-1-0 in West Coast Conference action. The Pilots fall to 14-4-1, 4-2-0.
Santa Clara, winners of four of the last five meetings against Portland, took the early lead at the 10:20 mark of the first half when two sophomore forwards teamed up for a goal. Megan Kakadelas gave a quick pass from the right side to Bree Horvath, who tapped it in past Lauren Arase for her second goal of the season and the 1-0 lead.
The Broncos continued to maintain possession for the rest of the period, although Portland did register three corner kicks in the period with five shots late in the half.
Senior All-America midfielder Aly Wagner drove down from Seattle to rejoin the Bronco squad for today's contest. Wagner has missed five games this season while competing with the U.S. National Team as it tries to qualify for the 2003 Women's World Cup. The USNT defeated Panama last night 9-0 in Seattle as part of the Women's Gold Cup, giving the San Jose native just 13 hours in between contests.
On the other hand, Portland standout Christine Sinclair did not participate today while competing with the Canadian National Team at the same tournament.
The Broncos started off strong in the second half, with a great shot by Wagner in the second minute of the period. It took a save by defender Imani Dorsey to prevent the score, as Wagner had Arase beat.
The Pilots countered immediately with a shot by Wanda Rozwandowska, but a save by Bronco keeper Alyssa Sobolik preserved SCU's lead. Sobolik was tested a few more times as Portland fired 10 shots in the first 15 minutes of the second half. In fact, Portland outshot the Broncos 8-1 in the second period and won a majority of the 50-50 balls, but Santa Clara held on for the victory. A final threat by Portland occurred with just under eight minutes remaining, as Lindsey Huie's shot caromed off the left post.
The annual Santa Clara-Portland series now favors the Broncos 11-8-1, and the two schools own every WCC title ever awarded. The Pilots have won six league championships, while SCU has taken the other five, including four of the last five.
Today's Bronco victory also handed the Pilots only their fifth loss all-time in home WCC matches.
The Broncos will end the regular season next week with two home contests at Buck Shaw Stadium. Santa Clara will close non-conference play against Pacific on Wednesday and then finish the WCC season against Gonzaga on Saturday. Both matches will begin at 7:30 p.m.
