SANTA CLARA, Calif. – No. 2-ranked Santa Clara women's soccer opens its 2021 campaign at home Thursday at 7:30 p.m. against San Jose State.

The reigning National Champions beat Fresno State 6-2 in an exhibition on Saturday in a tuneup for the regular season.

SERIES HISTORY
Santa Clara is 17-0 all-time against San Jose State with the first meeting coming in 1995. The last meeting was a 2-1 Broncos victory in 2018 in San Jose.

EVENT PROTOCOL
All Santa Clara Athletics home events will operate in compliance with state, county, and university COVID-19 guidelines. While masks are not required for outdoor events on campus, we highly encourage fans to wear masks especially when social distancing guidelines cannot be met or when others around you are eating or drinking. Seating in Stevens Stadium is general admission and we encourage everyone to utilize appropriate social distancing in the stands and common areas. Updates will be provided should there be an adjustment in protocol.

THE BRONCOS
Santa Clara (11-1) finished last season seventh in the country with 2.5 goals per game and sixth with 7.3 points per game. The Broncos outscored their opponents 30-9 a season ago while outshooting teams 165-101 and 92-47 in shots on target.

Alex Loera won the Honda Award and was Second Team All-America for the 2020 season while taking home her second consecutive West Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year award. She was also the College Cup Defensive Most Outstanding Player.

Kelsey Turnbow, the College Cup Offensive Most Outstanding Player after scoring the game-tying tally in the title game, led the high-powered Santa Clara offense with 10 goals and 24 points. She was a Third Team All-American and Top Drawer Soccer's Player of the Year.

Izzy D'Aquila, who converted the clinching penalty kick against top-seeded Florida State, scored eight goals last season and added three assists while being named First Team All-West Region.

Sally Menti, the WCC Freshman of the Year, looks to build on her breakout freshman campaign when she led the team with six assists and added two goals.

Marlee Nicolos is back in net after allowing just a 0.78 GAA and posting a .780 save percentage. She picked up six shutouts in the Broncos 12 matches.

THE SPARTANS
San Jose State (2-6-1) was outscored last season 20-5 while being outshot 129-67 and 67-30 in shots on target.

Five different players scored for the Spartans last year with all returning for 2021. Evan House led the team with three points thanks to adding an assist.

San Jose State lost both goalkeepers from a season ago and will rely on a pair of freshmen this year.

TICKETS
Tickets are available either online or at Stevens Stadium prior to the match. Purchase tickets online and avoid waiting at the stadium box office which opens one hour prior to kickoff. Questions may be directed to the Santa Clara Athletics ticket office from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at (408) 554-4660 or BroncoTickets@scu.edu. The ticket office also handles inquiries on group tickets.

PROMOTIONS
Before and during the match, the 2020 National Championship trophy will be on display in a digital photo booth just inside the Stevens Stadium gates for fans to take pictures with the team's new hardware.

PARKING
For weekday matches, the Leavey Center lot (see below for access), located on Accolti Way off El Camino Real, is free beginning one hour prior to kickoff. Any other parking facility on campus will be subject to normal daily rates or restrictions, including the main structure, located adjacent to Stevens Stadium on Palm Drive. During the weekend, campus parking facilities are free (except for permit required locations). Click here for a campus map and parking restrictions.

Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | Snapchat
Women's Soccer: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Snapchat