Box Score PORTLAND, Ore. – On a wet day in the Pacific Northwest, No. 19 Santa Clara women's soccer topped Portland by a final of 1-0 on Sunday afternoon. Santa Clara got its goal in the final minutes of the first half on a beautiful through ball and run.
Janae Gonzalez led the Broncos (10-5-0, 3-1-0 WCC) with the game-winning goal on an assist from Jessica Jara. Andi Tostanoski picked up four saves. Noelle La Prevotte was the most dangerous player for the Pilots (6-9-0, 2-3-0 WCC) with four shots and three on goal. Rachel Lusby made two saves.
"I was really proud of our effort today," said Santa Clara head coach Jerry Smith. "We had a number of different players contribute and we got Jordan Jesolva back out on the field. Janae [Gonzalez] scored a really nice goal for us. Portland has such a proud history and they were celebrating their 2005 national championship today so I'm sure that inspired them and the atmosphere was great. They are so well coached and it's tough to go on the road to beat tough teams so I was really happy with the team today."
With time winding down in the first half, Gonzalez broke the scoreless tie with a pretty goal in the 44th minute. Jara sent a through ball to Gonzalez who dribbled down the field against four Pilot defenders. She squared up for a shot just outside the 18-yard box and put it over the keeper and into the back of the net.
In the 66th minute La Prevotte had a good scoring chance for the Pilots. After running down a through ball, La Prevotte took a shot from outside the box that sailed just over the crossbar to keep Santa Clara on top 1-0.
Santa Clara returns to the field Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. vs. San Diego.
