Weekend Games End in Wins

Team defeats two road foes before conference playSydney SanchezTHE SANTA CLARAOctober 2, 2014

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he women’s soccer team swept the weekend, winning both road games against California State University, Northridge and California State University, Long Beach in the final games of their non-conference season.The Broncos shut out Northridge 1-0 on Friday before topping Long Beach 2-1 on Sunday. The weekend puts the Broncos at 7-4 going into their first West Coast Conference game against No. 8 Pepperdine University this Friday.“After the two wins this weekend, our team is more confident with our formation and style of play,” said senior Sofia Huerta. “There is a different energy going into conference that isn’t there during pre-conference. (Friday’s game versus Pepperdine) will be a very good test for us.”The Broncos traveled down south to CSU Northridge on Friday to kick off their month of road games.A tight first half kept the game scoreless, but Northridge outshot Santa Clara 8-3 and 2-1 in shots on goal.Despite the heat, Santa Clara put up a solid offense.Red shirt sophomore forward Brittany Ambrose tried to put a point on the board in the 11th minute of the game on a free kick that Northridge’s goalie just managed to block.Santa Clara rallied again in the 19th minute with a free kick by midfielder Jordan Jesolva that flew over the right side of the net.Northridge nearly put up a score of their own in the middle of the first half from a header off a Northridge forward that hit the post and was recovered by Bronco goalie Andi Tostanoski.Huerta got the offense going in the second half with her eighth goal of the season after taking off with the ball from midfield and sending it into the left corner of the goal to put Santa Clara up 1-0.The Broncos fought off Northridge and ran out the clock to pick up the weekend’s first win.Sunday’s game started with a goal by Long Beach State, putting the Broncos behind for the first half. But Santa Clara didn’t stay down long, coming out firing in the second half.

Huerta tied the game in the 70th minute off an assist by red shirt freshman Mariana Galvan to keep the Broncos in the game.Tied and down to the last minute of the game, Ambrose put up her second game-winning goal of the year with the help of senior Katie Speidel to put the Broncos ahead 2-1 and seal Sunday’s win.The weekend’s wins serve as a good segue into the team’s WCC season.“Our non-conference season has definitely prepared us for conference,” said Ambrose. “We faced some tough opponents, but none that we weren’t able to compete with. Although we lost a couple games, we have learned from them and improved tremendously.”

 After making it to the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Champion- ships, the Broncos are looking past their season but maintaining focus on how they can continue improving today.

 

 “Our goals are just to take (it) day by day and improve every game,” said Huerta. “Obviously a conference championship is always a main goal, but as of right now, we want to take baby steps.”

Huerta has been an integral part of the women’s soccer team since her freshman year back in 2011. Now entering her final season with Santa Clara, Huerta has vowed to give it her all.  “It being my last year, I am going to leave everything I have on the field,” said Huerta. “There are only so many game days, so I won’t take any of them for granted. The team, coaches and the university have provided an amazing home for me the past three years.” The Broncos are now ready to take on Pepperdine University this Friday in Malibu to kick off their WCC season.

“After winning two games on the road this weekend, the team is feeling very determined and ready for conference play,” said Ambrose. “Going off the momentum we created in Southern California, we are hoping to bring that energy to our games this weekend. If we continue to improve and play like Broncos, we will reach our goal of being WCC and national champions.” 

Sydney Sanchez is a junior accounting major.