Sept. 7, 2003
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's soccer team played to a scoreless double overtime tie against 23rd-ranked California this afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Broncos remain undefeated at 2-0-2 while California is now 1-0-2.
Santa Clara controlled the match for most of the first half, outshooting the Bears 5-1, while taking six corner kicks. Cal became much more aggressive in the second half, but was still outhot by a 7-2 margin in the period. On the match, shots favored SCU 14-5.
There were many opportunities for both teams to score during regulation, including a fast break for the Broncos in the 69th minute. Junior midfielder Leslie Osborne found freshman defender Lauren Zealear streaking down the right line and her serve was on target for fellow freshman Marian Dalmy to head into the goal. However, Cal keeper Ashley Sulprizio was a split second quicker and grabbed the ball to diffuse the attack.
At the other end of the pitch in the first overtime, Cal forward Liz Eisenberg had a solid shot from 15 yards out that just missed hitting the crossbar, sailing high and keeping the match scoreless.
Cal out-fouled the Broncos by a 22-11 margin.
Once again, SCU head coach Jerry Smith started four freshmen, while sophomore defender Catherine Sigler earned her first start as a Bronco. Freshman forward Tina Estrada made her SCU debut in the second overtime. She missed most of preseason due to illness.
Santa Clara will travel across the country to participate in the Virginia Classic in Charlottesville. The Broncos will take on two preseason top-10 opponents, in host Virginia and Penn State. The Broncos last faced the Cavaliers in the 2001 NCAA Tournament en route to the National Championship. The series between the schools is tied 2-2. Penn State, a 2002 College Cup participant, has only played against SCU on one other occasion, also in the Tournament, a second round Bronco victory in 1996.
