CHICAGO – Senior Maria Sanchez, who helped lead Santa Clara women's soccer to a No. 12 finish in the final United Coaches Poll and RPI and the 28th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, was drafted with the sixth pick of the second round, 15th overall, by the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women's Soccer League College Draft Thursday morning.
"It's my childhood dream to play professional soccer," said Sanchez. "I'm so grateful for the chance to play for a team like Chicago. I can't wait to get started and get on the field with such amazing players."
Sanchez, who spent the last two years at Santa Clara after transferring from Idaho State, was named First Team All-West Region and First Team All-WCC for her senior campaign.
Despite missing three games while playing with the Mexican National Team, Sanchez led the nation with 16 assists, tied for seventh most in Santa Clara history and the most by a Bronco since 2001. Twice this season she tied a program record with four assists in a game (Aug. 20 vs. Cal, Nov. 3 vs. Pacific). She also added eight goals and led Santa Clara with 32 points.
During her junior season, Sanchez led the Broncos with six assists and added five goals for 16 points while appearing in all 23 games.
She joins former Broncos Meg Crosson (Washington), Julie Ertz (Chicago), Bianca Henninger (Houston), Sofia Huerta (Houston), Alyssa Kleiner (Seattle), Katherine Reynolds (Portland), Meleana Shim (Houston), and Dani Weatherholt (Orlando) in the NWSL.
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June 3, 2019
Women's Soccer Finalizes Opponents for Foreign Trip
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April 29, 2019
Santa Clara Breaks Ground for Athletic Excellence Center
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March 26, 2019
Women’s Soccer Set for Foreign Tour to France
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March 22, 2019
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Riley Burrill
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March 21, 2019
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Cianna Elmazaj
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March 20, 2019
Bronco Supporters Make Day of Giving a Success
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March 19, 2019
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Claudia Ekelund
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March 18, 2019
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Felicity Baker
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February 20, 2019
Annual Day of Giving Set for March 7
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February 13, 2019
Women's Soccer Summer Camp Registration Open
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February 11, 2019
Broncos Continue to Shine in the Classroom
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February 8, 2019
Santa Clara’s Board of Trustees Approves Athletic Excellence Center
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January 10, 2019
Maria Sanchez Taken in National Women's Soccer League Draft
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December 4, 2018
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Emma Reeves
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December 3, 2018
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Keren Goor
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November 30, 2018
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Nicole Sweeney
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November 29, 2018
Meet the Future of Women's Soccer: Isabella D'Aquila
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November 29, 2018
Women's Soccer Junior Receives First-Team All-America Nod
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November 28, 2018
Kennedy Named WCC All-Academic, Six Other Women's Soccer Players Honored
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November 28, 2018
Meet the Future of Santa Clara Women's Soccer: Ellie Glenn
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November 27, 2018
Women's Soccer Standout Named MAC Hermann Trophy Semifinalist
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November 27, 2018
Women's Soccer Coaches Named West Region Staff of the Year
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November 26, 2018
Four Women's Soccer Players Named First Team All-West Region
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November 13, 2018
Athletic Excellence on the Rise
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October 27, 2018
No. 6 Women's Soccer Topped at BYU Saturday Night
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October 25, 2018
Quick Goals Lift No. 6 Women's Soccer 2-1 at San Diego in Overtime

October 23, 2018
No. 6 Women's Soccer Begins Final Road Trip at San Diego Thursday
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October 21, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Tops Gonzaga 1-0 Sunday Afternoon
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October 20, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Welcomes Gonzaga Sunday for WCC Matchup
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October 19, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Wins Wild Overtime Match Against Portland
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October 17, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Takes On Portland at Home Friday
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October 14, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Blows by Saint Mary's 4-1
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October 11, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Returns Home Sunday to Take on Saint Mary's
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October 10, 2018
SAAC Announces Broncos of the Month for September
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October 9, 2018
Athletics Events Set for Grand Reunion Weekend
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October 7, 2018
No. 4 Women's Soccer Upset 1-0 at Pepperdine Sunday
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October 6, 2018
No. 4 Women's Soccer Goes to Pepperdine Sunday
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October 5, 2018
No. 4 Women's Soccer Keeps on Rolling With Win at LMU
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October 3, 2018
No. 4 Women's Soccer Set for Road Matchup at LMU Friday
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September 28, 2018
Conference Play Begins at San Francisco for No. 4 Women's Soccer
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September 25, 2018
Women's Soccer Ranked No. 4 in Latest United Coaches Poll
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September 21, 2018
No. 6 Women's Soccer Gallops Past Cal Poly 5-1 Friday Night
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September 19, 2018
No. 6 Women's Soccer Looks To Keep Rolling vs. Cal Poly
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September 17, 2018
Lowder Nabs WCC Women's Soccer Player of the Week Honors
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September 16, 2018
Tough Defense Helps No. 7 Women's Soccer Battle To Draw at No. 1 Stanford
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September 13, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Posts Commanding 3-0 Win Over TCU Thursday
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September 11, 2018
No. 7 Women's Soccer Concludes Homestand with TCU Thursday
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September 11, 2018
Women's Soccer Moves to No. 7 in Latest United Soccer Coaches Poll
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September 9, 2018
Offense Leads No. 12 Women's Soccer Past Notre Dame Sunday
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September 8, 2018
No. 12 Women's Soccer Hosts Notre Dame Sunday at Noon
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September 7, 2018
No. 12 Women's Soccer Wins Thriller Over No. 2 North Carolina
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September 5, 2018
Sunday's Women's Soccer Game vs. Notre Dame Moved to Noon
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September 4, 2018
Donor Appreciation Night Set for Friday's Top-25 Women's Soccer Match
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September 2, 2018
No. 9 Women's Soccer Falls at No. 8 Texas A&M on Sunday

August 30, 2018
No. 9 Women's Soccer Tops Kansas State 2-0 Thursday at Home

August 27, 2018
No. 12 Women's Soccer Picks Up Hard-Fought Win Over North Texas

August 25, 2018
No. 12 Women's Soccer Welcomes North Texas Monday Night
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August 20, 2018
No. 19 Women's Soccer Takes Care of Cal 4-1 in Home-Opener

August 18, 2018
No. 19 Women's Soccer Hosts Cal in Home Opener Monday

August 15, 2018
Women's Soccer Opens Season at San Jose State Friday
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August 12, 2018
Women's Soccer Has Successful Red and White Scrimmage
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August 9, 2018
Women's Soccer To Host Red and White Scrimmage Saturday
August 1, 2018
Women's Soccer Officially Opens Practice for 2018 Season
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June 1, 2018
Women's Soccer Tickets On Sale Now
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May 24, 2018
Women's Soccer Announces 2018 Schedule