SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The reigning national champion Santa Clara women's soccer announced its 2021 schedule today.

After an exhibition at Fresno State August 14, the title defense will kickoff August 19 at Stevens Stadium against local rival San Jose State in the regular season-opener. After a quick trip to Cal (Aug. 22), the Broncos are right back home to face Seattle (Aug. 26) and Cal State Fullerton (Aug. 29).

Santa Clara then faces a tough road trip player fellow 2020 College Cup participant Virginia (Sept.2) and Virginia Tech (Sept. 5) in Harrisonburg, Virginia before traveling to UCLA (Sept. 9).

After a home game against Cal (Sept. 12), the nonconference slate concludes with a pair of road matches. The Broncos play at Stanford (Sept. 19) and at San Francisco (Sept. 25) in a non-WCC showdown.

The national title winning team from the 2020 season finished tied for the seventh in the nation with 2.5 goals per game and allowed just 0.75 goals per match.

Back will be Kelsey Turnbow, the College Cup Offensive Most Outstanding Player and Third Team All-American, to lead the offense. The senior finished the year with a team-high 10 goals and 24 points. Honda Award winner and Second Team All-American Alex Loera, the two-time WCC Defensive Player of the Year and 2020 College Cup Defensive Most Outstanding Player, will return to lead the back line.

Izzy D'Aquila, who scored the winning penalty kick against Florida State, returns for her junior year after scoring eight goals and adding three assists en route to being named First Team All-West Region. WCC Freshman of the Year Sally Menti is also back.

In net, Marlee Nicolos allowed nine goals for a 0.78 GAA and made 32 saves for a .780 save percentage while posting six shutouts.

Conference action begins with a visit from San Diego (Oct. 2) and features home matches with San Francisco (Oct. 16), Pepperdine (Oct. 20), BYU (Oct. 30), and LMU (Nov. 3) as Santa Clara looks to capture its second consecutive and 12th WCC title overall.

WCC games on the road will be at Pacific (Oct. 6), Gonzaga (Oct. 9), Portland (Oct. 23), and Saint Mary's (Nov. 6).

The NCAA Tournament begins Nov. 12 with the College Cup taking place December 3-5.

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