VIDEO: Smith Discusses Win Over Cal Poly
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The No. 6 Santa Clara women's soccer offense exploded for a season-high five goals in a 5-1 win over Cal Poly Friday night at home to get off to its best start since 2005 and push its unbeaten streak to five.
The Broncos (8-1-1) built a 3-0 lead in under 13 minutes and got two goals each from Maddy Gonzalez and redshirt senior Briar Blake while also getting a goal and two assists from Maria Sanchez. Kelsey Turnbow and Julie Doyle both added assists as well.
Gonzalez and Sanchez hooked up for the first of the night off a short corner that Gonzalez dribbled into the box in the second minute. They also connected for the third of the night in the 13th when Sanchez's cross was punched out right to Gonzalez who found the back of the net.
Sanchez scored her goal off some nice passing in the seventh minute when Turnbow passed Doyle who sent a cross from the left side of the box and Sanchez flicked a header in.
Blake scored her two goals, the first of her career, in the 53rd and 68th minutes. The first came when she dribbled down to the end line and into the box before poking her shot off the keeper and in with the second coming off a bad clear that she finished.
The Mustangs (0-7-3) managed to get on the board between Blake's goals, in the 60th minute. Mackenzie George slipped a pass to Sydney Knauer in the box that Knauer knocked into the net.
Melissa Lowder started in net but played just 18 minutes while making one save. Courtney Ogren played the final 72 minutes and made a career-high tying six saves (9/4/16 vs. Wisconsin and 9/11/16 vs. Minnesota).
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VIDEO | Head coach @SCUJerrySmith discusses Friday's impressive 5-1 win over @CPWomensSoccer which saw a number of players see action. #SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/Ky6wr2m38w
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 22, 2018
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 18-2-3 all-time against Cal Poly and has won the last four meetings by a combined score of 13-1.
- With the win, the Broncos are off to their best start since 2005 when they also began the year 8-1-1.
- Santa Clara put 11 of its 18 shots on goal.
- Julie Doyle made her first start since suffering an injury to her knee vs. San Francisco Oct. 27, 2017.
- This was the first game for Santa Clara against a team not in the polls or receiving votes since the season-opener Aug. 17 at San Jose State.
- The Broncos used all 26 non-injured players in the match.
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Santa Clara concludes nonconference play at UC Santa Barbara Sunday at 1 p.m.
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