Santa Clara women’s soccer (6-2-4, 2-0-0 WCC) cruised past the University of Denver (2-6-2, 1-1-0 WCC) 3-0 on Saturday, Oct. 3, picking up their second straight WCC win in front of a home crowd on Senior Day.
Over 500 fans gathered in the 90-degree heat not only for an afternoon of soccer, but for a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month featuring Gabriela Sepúlveda ’21, a Bronco alumna, who sang the national anthem followed by a halftime performance.
Santa Clara struck early when Kennedy Schoennauer ’27 was fouled in the box in just the fourth minute of the first half. Schoennauer scored the penalty kick to the top center of the net, putting the Broncos ahead 1-0, marking her 10th goal of the season.
The Broncos had a strong first half, maintaining offensive control with 13 shots and six corner kicks. In the 17th minute, Hildi Benediktsdottir ’28 scored on a header off assists from Schoennauer and Litsy Alcocer ’30, increasing the Broncos’ lead to 2-0 going into halftime.
The Broncos continued to strike in the second half, putting up nine additional shots while holding Denver to zero shots on goal through the last 45 minutes.
With a 2-0 lead, goalkeeper Amaris Franco ’27 made her season debut in the 83rd minute, replacing Ally Harrison ’29. Six of the seniors were healthy to enter the match and helped secure the win.
Mia Erba ’27 sealed the win with her first goal for the Broncos in the 88th minute, with assists from Benediktsdottir and Tessa Ferguson ’28, to give Santa Clara a 3-0 victory.
“We played 22 players in a game, which is not normal for us, but when you play in 94-degree weather you try to play as many players as you can,” said Jerry Smith, head coach of Santa Clara women’s soccer.
Santa Clara completed the match outshooting Denver 22-7, 8-1 in shots on goal, and held a 9-3 edge in corner kicks.
The Broncos look to extend their WCC win streak at Stevens Stadium on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. when they host the University of the Pacific.