Oct. 10, 2003
FULLERTON, Calif. - The 13th-ranked Santa Clara University women's soccer team earned a 2-2 double overtime draw with Cal State Fullerton this evening at Titan Stadium. Junior Leslie Osborne scored the game-tying goal in the 87th minute on a penalty kick.
It marked the Titans' first overtime match of the season, and the Broncos' fourth. Santa Clara is now 6-3-4 on the season while CS Fullerton moves to 6-5-1. The match marked the first meeting of these two squads in program history.
The two goals surrendered by the Broncos snapped a three-match shutout streak, while the Titans scored for the first time in almost two weeks, dating back to a 5-0 victory over Oregon on Sept. 28.
The two teams played to a scoreless first half despite Santa Clara holding an 8-3 shot advantage. The Broncos had the majority of scoring chances in the opening period of play as Titan Laura Janke saved a pair of shots from Bree Horvath in the second minute and Lauren Zealear with just 21 seconds remaining on the frame. Zealear also had another shot from about 15 yards out clang off the crossbar in the 20th minute.
Fullerton's best chance in the opening period came in the 13th minute when Erin Shelton collected the ball while fighting off a defender in the box, just catching the edge of the ball to send it dribbling to the far left post. However, Santa Clara keeper Alyssa Sobolik, initially caught moving the wrong way, got her fingertips on it, deflecting the chance wide.
Santa Clara finally broke the scoring drought in the 55th minute when a pass from Osborne deflected off a Titan defender. It was collected by freshman Marian Dalmy, who fired to an open right corner for the 1-0 lead. The equalizer for the Titans came in the 67th minute when Kandace Wilson was taken down in the box by two defenders going for a loose ball. Fullerton was awarded a penalty kick and Allison Bowman converted at the 66:16 mark, knotting the score. Erin Shelton then put CS Fullerton ahead, one-timing a cross from Bowman to the left post from 17 yards out.
Osborne drew the Broncos even once again, converting on a penalty kick when a Santa Clara player was taken down at the top of the box. Osborne's shot beat the Titan keeper to the upper left side.
In the extra periods, each team took three shots with the Titans' Janke making the only save in the second overtime.
Santa Clara remains on the road and will open the West Coast Conference's 12th season. Santa Clara was voted one of the league's preseason favorites by the coaches during a summer poll and will visit San Diego on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Broncos are 9-2-0 against the Toreros all-time, and are currently amid a six-match winning streak, including three straight shutouts.
