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WATCH | Jerry Smith Talks 2015 Senior Class
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - After yet another tightly contested conference game, No. 20 Santa Clara women's soccer plays its final regular season home match of the year Saturday vs. No. 5 BYU at 1 p.m. With a logjam atop the WCC standings the game between the Broncos and Cougars could determine the eventual WCC champion. Santa Clara came from behind on Thursday night to win 2-1 vs. San Diego. Saturday will also be senior day and alumni day.
The senior class of Ali Jones, Megan Crosson, Dani Weatherholt, and Andi Tostanoski may not be as big as some classes of the past, but their impact on the women's soccer program is still great.
"This has been a really interesting four years for this group of seniors," said Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith. "We were penalty kicks away from going to the quarterfinals in one of their years and for the first time in my 28 years we unexpectedly didn't make the NCAA Tournament in another year. One of the things that will define this group of seniors is their resiliency. It's a really tough group. The reason we're having a wonderful year to this point, is largely because of the senior class' mental toughness. Student leadership is the most important factor in college sports and our wonderful senior class has provided that this year."
On Sunday the Broncos will also welcome back many of their alums from their rich history.
"Not only is it senior day on Saturday vs. BYU but it's also the day we welcome our alums back to campus," said Smith. "We're excited to welcome them back and every time our alums are here our team feels pressure of our history but is also inspired to play well. We look forward to honoring our wonderful seniors on Saturday and welcoming back our alums. Hopefully we'll put on a good show that they'll also be proud of."
Grace Cutler leads Santa Clara with five goals and 10 points. Weatherholt has eight points on three goals and two assists. Julie Vass has found the back of the net four times, including the game-winner vs. San Diego, and added one assist while Mariana Galvan has scored three goals, all in double overtime. Crosson is tied for first in the WCC with six assists. Three other Broncos have scored twice each.
Tostanoski has allowed nine goals for a 0.57 GAA. She has made 70 saves and has a .886 save percentage to go with seven shutouts.
Santa Clara is 7-1-2 all-time vs. BYU with the first meeting coming in 1993. Last year BYU picked up its first win over the Broncos with a 5-2 victory in Provo.
BYU (12-2-1, 4-1-0 WCC) is 4-2-1 on the road. Last week they took down Pacific 2-0. On Thursday they fell 2-1 at San Francisco.
"BYU is the champ from last year and undefeated in conference this year," said Smith. "Since joining our conference they've always been one of the teams to beat and they beat us pretty good last year. Our team is up for the challenge this week. We've played a tough schedule so we're a battle-hardened team and we're ready to take on anybody."
Nadia Gomes leads BYU with 13 points and is tied for the team lead with five goals and three assists. Elena Medeiros also has five goals and has one assist. Last year's co-WCC Player of the Year Ashley Hatch has scored four goals to go with two assists. Five other Cougars have scored at least one goal.
Rachel Boaz has allowed four goals for a 0.29 GAA, which puts her at No. 4 in the country. She has made 58 saves and leads the nation with a .935 save percentage. Boaz has collected seven shutouts.
