SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In a matchup of two evenly matched teams, eighth-seeded Santa Clara beat Cal 1-0 in double overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament from Stevens Stadium.

The lone tally of the match came off the head of Izzy D'Aquila with 26 seconds remaining before penalty kicks. Keren Goor sent a beautiful ball into the box that D'Aquila outjumped the defenders and goalkeeper for. After a bounce, the ball found the side of the net to keep the Broncos (11-6-3) dancing.

It was a slugfest from the start. The Bears (10-5-6) came out on the front foot and had much more time in the attacking third during the first half and the start of the second. Santa Clara was able to remedy the situation and started to apply some late pressure but neither team could score until the waning seconds.

NOTES

• Both teams finished with 11 shots. Santa Clara put five on goal and Cal put four. Shots were 6-3 in favor of the Bears in the first half and 5-4 in the second. The Broncos had the lone four shots in overtime, with three coming in the second period.
• Marlee Nicolos made four saves for the Broncos with Angelina Anderson making the same number for the Bears. It was the seventh shutout of the year for Nicolos.
• The Broncos have gone 13-1-2 over the last four NCAA Tournaments despite playing just five of those matches at home. They have hosted the first round in nine of the last 12 seasons going, 8-0-1, including 2020 when games were not at campus sites.
• Overall, the Broncos are 64-25-6 in the NCAA Tournament and 37-3-3 at home. They have won at least one game in each of their last nine appearances.
• D'Aquila's goal made her the seventh Bronco in history with 50 career goals. She is in seventh place all-time in program history with that number. Next up is Mikka Hansen (1993-96) with 52.
• D'Aquila is also ninth in program history with 116 points. Next is Leslie Osborne (2011-04) with 122.
• Jerry Smith now has 534 wins.
• Santa Clara is now 21-24-8 all-time vs. Cal and 6-1-1 in the NCAA Tournament.

THE GOAL

Take a look at the game-winner scored by who else but Izzy!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/plIJl7opLs

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) November 12, 2022

INTERVIEW

Hear from head coach Jerry Smith after the Broncos thrilling win over Cal in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/peSQNWogQ1

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) November 13, 2022

NEXT UP
The Broncos take on top-seeded Notre Dame on Friday in South Bend.

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