WSOC Creates Chances in Tough Loss to Santa Clara
11/1/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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SANTA CLARA, Calif.—They hung tough and kept searching for a goal, but it was not to be for the Gonzaga University women's soccer team as the Zags fell 3-0 to Santa Clara Friday night at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
"If you look at the stats and the 3-0 does not indicate our competitiveness within this game," said Gonzaga women's soccer head coach Amy Edwards. " I felt we settled for some longer range shots instead of trying to combine and get in behind, but our team still has a lot to play for and I think that you'll see this Gonzaga team bounce back for Sunday's game."
Despite the uneven scoreline, the Zags matched up well with the Broncos stat-wise. Both teams put seven shots on frame while Santa Clara attempted one more shot than Gonzaga. The Zags also tallied four more corner kicks, attempting eight on the night.
Gonzaga came roaring out of the first whistle, controlling the ball for the match's first 20 minutes. Although they were only credited two shots during that stretch—attempts on frame from Mikayla Anderson and Tori Lee—the Bulldogs took three corner kicks and saw many other scoring chances snuffed out by the Bronco defense at the last second.
The Zags may have dominated the initial 20 minutes, but Santa Clara got on the scoreboard first in the 21st minute. After a clearance from a previous Santa Clara attempt on goal, Mariana Galvan was able to dribble down the field and beat Zag keeper Christie Tombari with a shot into the net.
"It was disappointing to give up that first goal and it certainly gave Santa Clara a bit of energy," Edwards said.
After the score, both game opened up for the next 12 minutes as Gonzaga and Santa Clara combined for eight shots, four for both sides. Three of the Zags' four attempts in that stretch were on target, but SCU keeper Andi Tostanoski saved each of them.
Just before halftime, Santa Clara added a second goal when Sofia Huerta took a shot from the right side of the box. The ball curved into the far post to extend the SCU lead.
The match slowed down in the beginning of the second with each squad attempting just two shots each in the period's first 25 minutes. Gonzaga saw a scoring opportunity with a breakaway in the 72nd minute, but the Santa Clara defense managed steal the ball and send it out for a GU corner before the Zags could pull off a shot. The Broncos added a third goal nearly two minutes later when Huerta netted her second of the match on a counter.
"Santa Clara has a special player in Sofia Huerta," said Edwards. "She finished those opportunities very well."
Lee and Heather Johnson both fired shots on goal during the final 10 minutes, but Tostanoski got her hands on both of them, not allowing a Bulldog comeback. Lee led the Zags with four shots, three of which were on target. Both Johnson and Anderson put two additional shots on frame for the Zags.
Gonzaga (8-8-1, 3-3-1 WCC) will wrap up its 2014 regular season road slate Sunday, Nov. 2, when they travel the short distance to the University of San Francisco. That contest will kick off at 1:00 p.m. at Negoesco Stadium in San Francisco.
