WASHINGTON, D.C. – Twelfth-ranked Santa Clara women's soccer showed its championship spirit in a 2-1 win over Wisconsin to advance to the national quarterfinals for the second year in a row and third time in the last six seasons.
Despite a lead early in the second half, the Broncos (14-5-2) found themselves down a man for the final 29-plus minutes of action after a red card was issued to Emma Reeves. The Badgers (10-6-6) evened the score moments later but short-handed Santa Clara was able to find the match-winner in the waning minutes.
The Broncos earned their sixth corner of the day in the 83rd that was taken by Sally Menti. Her cross found the head of Karly Reeves who hit it off the crossbar, down, and in. It was the freshman's first collegiate goal.
Wisconsin threw everything it had forward over the final minutes but Santa Clara was able to hold off the attack.
Despite the close game, the Broncos held a 14-5 advantage in shots and put nine shots on goal while allowing just two.
Kylie Foutch, while only coming up with one save, made sure to knock several close balls away to keep the ball out of the net. Her one save was a diving one in the first half that kept the match scoreless.
On the other side, Jordyn Bloomer had seven stops.
The first goal of the match came in the 55th minute. Kelsey Turnbow took a corner and found Alex Loera's head in the box to make it 1-0.
Wisconsin's goal came in the 70th minute, eight minutes after the Badgers gained the extra attacker. The ball was knocked around in front of the goal before Natalie Viggiano got it to Emma Jaskaniec who scored.
The defending national champion Broncos are now one win away from playing in the College Cup at home.
They will face fourth-ranked Duke, which defeated St. John's 7-1 on Sunday night. The quaterfinal match will be held at No. 1-seeded Duke on Friday at 3 p.m. Pacific.
NOTES
- Santa Clara is now 3-1-1 all-time against Wisconsin and 1-0 in the NCAA Tournament.
- This was the Broncos 62nd win in the NCAA Tournament.
- Emma Reeves got a red card at 60:29. The Broncos played the rest of the match down a player.
- The Broncos are in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row for the first time since 2004 and 2005.
- Santa Clara is one of just three teams to make the third round in each of the last three years. The other teams are Florida State and Penn State. The Broncos are just one of five teams to make the third round of the NCAA Tournament five of the last six seasons. The other teams are North Carolina (2016-20), UCLA (2016-20), Florida State (2017-21), Virginia (2016-18, 2020-21), and Duke (2016-17, 2019-20).
- Kelsey Turnbow is in fifth place at Santa Clara in career goals with 55. Next is Jenni Symons and Jacqui Little with 63 each. She is in now tied for fifth with Little with 37 assists. Next is Erin Martinez with 38. Turnbow is also at 147 points, which is fifth. Next is Jenny Fechner's 156.
- Head coach Jerry Smith now has 522 career wins, the third most Division I wins in women's soccer history.
THE GOALS
We take a lead off the head of @alexis22_loera from a corner by Kelsey Turnbow!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/fSCel7Riei
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) November 21, 2021
Karly Reeves heads in off a corner from Sally Menti! We are back on top!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/s20fKbwOZb
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) November 21, 2021
INTERVIEW
��️ Jerry Smith talks Broncos third round win in @NCAASoccer Tournament.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/uOAj2jm4nZ
— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) November 21, 2021
NEXT UP
The Broncos play in the national quarterfinals at Duke. Date and time are TBA.
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