Box Score SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's soccer won its fifth straight to open the season with a 1-0 victory over Columbia on Thursday night. The Broncos had the vast majority of the attack but the Lions defense stayed compact and strong for 90 minutes.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Farrah Walters scored the lone goal of the match in the 25th minute. Sally Menti took a corner that Makoto Nezu headed to Walters whose shot hit the bottom of the cross bar before going in.

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• The Broncos (5-0) finished the night with 16 shots and six on goal. Of the 10 shots that weren't on target, all were blocked by the Lions (2-1) defense.
• Columbia ended up with five shots and put one on target.
• Marlee Nicolos picked up one save and her first shutout of the year. On the other side Paige Nurkin had five saves.
• Santa Clara drew five corners without surrendering any.

 
POSTGAME COMMENTS:
 

Hear from head coach @SCUJerrySmith after the Broncos topped Columbia 1-0.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/80iSvubQFF

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 1, 2023

HIGHLIGHTS:
 

And we are on top!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/Co6VuUiDbU

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 1, 2023

Another view of our goal from the first half? Why yes!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/MCISP0MCPX

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 1, 2023

NEXT UP

• Santa Clara hosts James Madison Sunday at 1 p.m.