Seniors Anessa Patton and Maxine Goynes struck quickly, scoring a goal each before eight minutes had passed in the match to boost the No. 12 Santa Clara women's soccer team over host San Francisco. The Broncos improved to 10-3-2 with the victory and remain unbeaten in WCC play with three wins, no losses, and no ties.
Patton scored her third game-winning and fifth overall goal of the year just three minutes and 22 seconds into the match. A through-ball to Patton off a combination from senior Amanda Poach sophomore Lauren Matheson put the Fresno, Calif. native in on a 1-v-1 with Dons' goalkeeper Noelle Salter. Patton drew Salter out and neatly finished the ball to the far post, striking the ball against the woodwork and into the net.
Just three minutes and 50 seconds later, Goynes made it 2-0 by blasting a shot that Salter saved with her foot, but rebounded right back to the Bronco who stuck it in on the second attempt. The tally was Goynes' second of the year.
"It's always good to get off to a good start, and we noticed on Friday's game that San Diego scored quickly against San Francisco, so that was something I definitely mentioned to my team prior to the match," said head coach Jerry Smith. "We were the more aggressive team right from the start and that contributed to our early goals."
Santa Clara continued to assault the USF defense throughout the game, firing off a total of 17 shots to the Dons' six throughout the match, but couldn't find the back of the net another time. The Broncos also held the edge in corner kicks, 6-4.
The SCU defense once again blanked its opponent and junior goalie Bianca Henninger was called upon thrice to make a save in her seventh-shutout performance of the year. Henninger's goals-against-average improves to .582 after not allowing a goal in 180 minutes this weekend.
"This was another solid performance for us. To have three shutout-wins in three conference games with five goals scored is a good thing and were in a really good position heading into this coming weekend's matches against the northwest WCC schools. We'll be back on our home field and in control of our own destiny."
Santa Clara and Portland remain atop the WCC standings this weekend as each team has three wins and has yet to be scored on in conference play. The two teams will meet next Sunday at noon at Buck Shaw Stadium in a nationally-televised match on ESPNU. The Broncos will also host Gonzaga Friday night at 7 p.m.
