Aug. 21, 2009
SAN JOSE, Calif. - The No. 22 Santa Clara women's soccer team put up a victory in its first match of the 2009 season, defeating San Jose State 4-0 tonight at Spartan Stadium.
The Broncos posted their first shutout victory since its 3-0 defeat of San Francisco on Oct. 19, 2008, and its first four-goal game since a 4-0 victory over Cal Poly on Sept. 28, 2007.
The first half was not without excitement, as both teams had quality scoring chances, the most spectacular coming from senior Lexi Orand, who bicycle-kicked a ball just wide of the goal. The Spartans also nearly capitalized on Santa Clara defensive error midway through the half, as its leading scorer from last season, Emmy Belding, found herself alone on a breakaway but was thwarted by a hard backtackle from senior Jordan Angeli that forced her shot wide.
Just before halftime, senior Kiki Bosio opened the floodgates for the Broncos, netting her first goal of the season with just under six minutes to play in the half. Bosio was able to get on the end of junior Maxine Goynes' cross from the right flank and with a sliding touch put the ball past San Jose State goalkeeper Nina Butera's left.
Less than two minutes later, freshman Lauren Matheson gained control of a loose ball in the Spartan penalty area, and crushed a low, hard shot to the left of Butera to make it 2-0 in favor of Santa Clara.
After the half, the Broncos nearly made it 3-0 just one minute in when Angeli, who after missing two seasons due to injury played in her first game since Nov. 10, 2006, made a diving header attempt on goal that was saved by Butera.
Freshman Amanda Webster solidified the three-goal lead at 66:37 when she took advantage of Angeli's 40-yd ball from the back that was misjudged in the air by a San Jose State defender, collecting the ball on her foot and finishing her shot low, hard, and to the far post corner.
At 80:25, sophomore goalkeeper Bianca Henninger earned her first career point, the first by a Santa Clara goalkeeper since Julie Ryder recorded an assist in 2006, when her punt traveled beyond the Spartan back line and was run onto by Goynes. Goynes flicked the ball past a charging Butera and guided the ball across the goal line to make it 4-0 for the final goal of the game.
"It was a great first game of the season," said Bosio. "It felt good to get that one under our belt and hopefully it sets the tone for the rest of the season."
The Broncos, now 1-0 on the season, will host its 2009 home opener against UC Santa Barbara this Sunday at 1 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium.
