Soccer Steals One On the Road

Women’s team snags victory in double overtime

Alli KleppeTHE SANTA CLARAOctober 16, 2014

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he women’s soccer game last Sunday was a hard-fought battle. During the hottest part of the day, Santa Clara traveled north to take on the University of San Francisco Dons in a grueling match.

Neither team scored in regulation. The Broncos and the Dons were tied at 0, but not for a lack of trying. Santa Clara tallied eight shots on goal, while the Dons attempted four.

Senior Sofia Huerta, junior Megan Crosson and freshman Kellie Peay were among the Santa Clara players who attempted shots, but nothing was potent enough to get by the Dons’ goalkeeper.

Both defenses remained steadfast throughout regulation and the first overtime period, but the Broncos finally broke the tie in the 108th minute, when redshirt sophomore Brittany Ambrose received a pass from senior Katie Speidel. She converted to win the game for the Broncos. The squad moves to 2-1-0 in conference play and 9-5-0 overall.

Junior goalkeeper Andi Tostanoski racked up four saves in the game.

“It was a great feeling — I don’t really know how to describe it,” Ambrose said. “It was refreshing, but also relieving that we won the game.”

She cited “grit” as one of the main reasons that they were able to pull through.

“It was super hot, and just encouraging each other on the field and telling everyone ‘we got this’ helped us push through the last bit,” Ambrose said.

This mentality will become increasingly important as the team faces three more conference opponents in the span of seven days.

With several starters out due to injury, the younger members of the team have the opportunity to step up to the plate and prove themselves.

Freshman Megan Keeth is now filling in at center back due to senior Alyssa Kleiner’s injury. She was honored to be selected to fill such big shoes.

“It’s an incredibly rewarding feeling,” Keeth said. “All the hard work and commitment I have put into soccer my whole life has paid off. I’m so lucky to have this opportunity so early on.”

The team is also missing sophomore Jordan Jesolva, who suffered a torn ACL at practice two weeks ago, and redshirt sophomore Julie Vass, who has a sprained ankle.

These injuries will test and strengthen the team’s depth.

The Broncos’ next game is against the University of the Pacific, who is currently at the bottom of the standings for the WCC with a record of 0-4-0 in conference play and a 2-11-1 record overall.

Ambrose said that she believes that if the team continues to focus on the little things, with the guidance of Head Coach Jerry Smith, the postseason will remain in the Broncos’ future.

The game will be at Buck Shaw Stadium on Sunday at 11 a.m.

Contact Alli Kleppe at akleppe@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.