Check out photos from the match! (Credit Denis Concordel)
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Wrapping-up its six-game season-opening home stand, No. 24 Santa Clara women's soccer beat Dayton by a final of 1-0. The win puts the Broncos at 4-2-0 on the season while the Flyers are 2-4-1.
Santa Clara returns to the field Sun., Sept. 14 at 3:30 p.m. at Cal.
"We put a little wrinkle into our formation and what we're doing defensively and I thought it helped us put them under good pressure," said Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith. "The pressure didn't allow them too many comfortable looks at our goal. I would have liked to have created a few more chances than we did but credit to Dayton who is a good defensive team that won't give up too many goals. We had a high percentage of shots on goal, which is something we've been striving for. Today was about the depth of our team coming through for us as we got a lot of players into the game. That will help us going into Sunday because we'll have fresher legs."
Santa Clara outshot Dayton 7-6 and shots on goal were 6-3 in favor of the Broncos. Kat McAuliffe led the way for the Bronco offense with the goal while Kat Uhl had the assist. Andi Tostanoski picked up three saves in net.
Santa Clara jumped ahead 1-0 in the 25th minute on the second goal of the season from McAuliffe. Uhl put a nice move on the defender to get the ball just outside the box and sent a soft pass on the ground to McAuliffe who was making a run. The goalkeeper came out for the ball but McAuliffe was able to get a touch and roll it into the net.
Santa Clara outshot by Dayton 3-2 and shots on goal were tied 2-2 in the first half. McAuliffe led the way for the Bronco offense with a goal while Uhl had an assist. Tostanoski picked up two saves saves in net.
The Broncos had the first scoring chance of the second half in the 50th minute. Megan Crosson got the ball down near the goal but her shot was saved by the keeper. The rebound went back to Crosson but it was too difficult and angle and the ball hit the side net.
Nicole Waters had a golden scoring chance to even the score in the 84th minute. She had the ball alone in front of the goal but Tostanoski made a great save to keep the Broncos on top.
