SANTA CLARA, Calif. – West Coast Conference play opened with a 1-0 win for No. 18 women's soccer over Pepperdine on Saturday. The Broncos got the lone goal of the match early in the second half and made it hold up while creating other chances throughout.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Just over a minute out of the halftime break, Alyssa Bourgeois sent a cross into the box that Waves (3-3-5, 0-1 WCC) goalkeeper Taylor Rath dove and punched out of the box right to the feet of Malia Yamamoto. After a touch, Yamamoto let a shot rip that went inside the near post for the first of her collegiate career.

 
NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• Santa Clara (8-2-2, 1-0 WCC) ended the match with 11 shots and three on target while creating almost all of the chances in the game.
• The Broncos also collected six corners and gave up two.
• Marlee Nicolos, on her birthday, made one save and collected her third solo shutout of the year.
• Rath made two saves.
• The Broncos are now 30-1-4 in WCC play since 2019.

 
POSTGAME COMMENTS:
 

Hear from head coach @SCUJerrySmith following Saturday's WCC-opening 1-0 win over Pepperdine.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/9xXqnDlsLY

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 30, 2023

HIGHLIGHTS:
 

What a moment!#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/m5IsuTvcUX

— Santa Clara Women's Soccer (@SCUWomensSoccer) September 30, 2023

NEXT UP

• The Broncos play at Saint Mary's Wednesday at 3 p.m.