The Santa Clara women's soccer team entered Stevens Stadium with confidence, having opened the season with a promising 2‑1‑3 record. From the first whistle, the Broncos pressed forward, and their persistence paid off early.
An Early Lead Sparks Excitement
In the 26th minute, midfielder Kennedy Schoennauer found the net, slotting a well‑timed pass from Hildi Benediktsdottir and Raygen Lewis into the back of the net. The goal gave Santa Clara a 1‑0 advantage and ignited the home crowd.
The momentum continued as forward Adee Goulden added a second strike in the 44th minute, assisted by Jalana Kimber and Jacey Martinez, extending the lead to 2‑0 before the half‑time break.
UCLA, however, turned the tide after the break. The Bruins unleashed a relentless attack, scoring three unanswered goals to flip the script. Leena Powell broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute, and Molly Hale followed with the decisive strike in the 76th minute, sealing a 3‑2 victory.
Despite the loss, Santa Clara's defense held strong, with goalkeeper Ally Harrison making three crucial saves against 11 shots on target. Asa Yamazaki's two assists and Cate Sarinopoulos's contribution kept the Bruins' offense fluid, while Olivia Woodson's assist added another layer of threat.
The Broncos will look to rebound when they host No. 1 Stanford on Sunday at 1 p.m., a match that will be streamed on ESPNU. The upcoming clash promises another intense showdown for the team and its supporters.