No. 10 Santa Clara Takes Down Undefeated No. 3 Pepperdine; Now First In WCC

October 28, 2011

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - In a battle of top-10 teams, No. 10 Santa Clara University (12-1-5; 5-0-1 WCC) beat No. 3 Pepperdine (13-1-4; 5-1-0 WCC) by a score of 1-0. The lone goal was scored by Bridgett Miller with under 10 seconds left in the first half. The game-winning goal was the third in a row for Miller.

"Our team performed very well today. No one has been able to beat Pepperdine and they were in first place in the conference. We're now all alone in first place and feeling pretty good about ourselves," said Bronco head coach Jerry Smith. We have a couple of tough games left but I'm very proud of the team tonight and I thought it was a very good team effort."

Sofia Huerta had a golden chance in the 22nd minute when Alyssa Kleiner played a beautiful through ball to Sofia Huerta who got behind the defense and had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. She took a shot on the ground that got passed the keeper but hit the right post and bounced to Pepperdine who cleared the ball.

Julie Johnston had a great chance with just over a minute left in the first half. She had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper but the goalie made a terrific kick save that knocked the ball out of bounds for a corner kick.

With seven seconds left in the half goalkeeper Bianca Henninger came to midfield to take a free kick. She sent the ball into the box and after it bounced around Bridgett Miller got a handle and chopped the ball on the ground that found a path through the defense and found the back of the net. The goal made the score 1-0 Broncos and was Miller's third goal in as many games.

In the 52nd minute Henninger made a beautiful jumping save to keep the score at 1-0. Pepperdine lobbed a shot from 18 yards out that Henninger waited on and timed her leap to knock the ball over the crossbar. The Waves were unable to capitalize on the ensuing corner kick.

Pepperdine had a chance in the 68th minute when Lynn Williams ran down a loose ball and had a half-step lead on Ellie Rice. She took her shot on the ground but it went wide right and the score remained 1-0 in favor of Santa Clara, where the game would end.

The Broncos return to the field on Sun., Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. on the campus of Loyola Marymount to take on the Lions.

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