Women's Soccer Back in Tourney

By Henry Gula

In the past 24 years, the Santa Clara women's soccer team has had their name in the field of 64 for the NCAA's Division I National Championship Tournament all but one time. 

2012 continues the tradition. 

The Broncos completed their season with a record of 11-3-6. It earned the team a first-round home playoff game against Long Beach State University this Saturday at 1 p.m. 

"Everyone's undefeated right now," said defender Sofia Huerta. "What matters now is making the Final Four." 

In order to advance, the Broncos will first have to turn in a strong performance against Long Beach State, who is ranked 40th in the national ratings percentage index.  

"We know we can beat Long Beach," said Huerta. "Obviously, we're not looking past them. We have to get the first game over with before thinking about Stanford (University)." 

Local rival Stanford Cardinal are the top seed in Santa Clara's bracket, and the Broncos, if they advance, are likely face them in the second round.

Santa Clara finished 7th in the RPI. Unfortunately, the Broncos were the only team in the top 15 of the RPI to miss receiving a seed in the tournament. 

"It's unfortunate to not be seeded, and we hate seeing that," said Huerta. "We are going to have to outplay Long Beach in terms of raw soccer ability."

The Broncos were unable to attain one of the 16 seeds for the tournament, making their road to the Final Four considerably more difficult. 

"The fact that we have to see Stanford second round isn't ideal," Huerta added. 

However, the Broncos can't be counted out against the powerhouse from Palo Alto. 

The last time the two teams faced off was Aug. 17 in the first game of the regular season. The Broncos lost 6-1, but were without Huerta and Julie Johnston, who were both away at the Under-20 World Cup in Japan. 

Since then, Huerta and Johnston have turned in incredible campaigns, scoring six and eight goals, respectively. They were both named First Team All-West Coast Conference. 

"That's an honor," said Huerta of the recognition. "It's something that I don't tend to think about. I play for Santa Clara, and we try to play the best that we can each game."

With their leading players on the field, the team is confident that the Broncos will be a much tougher opponent for the Cardinal this time around. 

"That 6-1 game doesn't do us justice and doesn't represent Santa Clara," said Huerta, adding that the next time "will be exciting."

Huerta will focus on converting more shots into goals in the coming game and as long as the Broncos are alive in the tournament.
She stressed the collaborative effort required to set her up for her team - leading 81 shots on goal, saying, "I don't think on any one of my shots did I dribble all the way up the field and shoot it myself."

"We're very happy to make the NCAA Tournament," Head Coach Jerry Smith told Santa Clara Broncos Athletics online. "This is 23 out of the last 24 years for the program in the tournament so I'm very proud of that. I'm also proud of the team this year for making the tournament, and we did well enough to get a home game in the first match. I'm sure the team will be looking forward to the game as much as I am."

Smith has been with the Broncos for all 23 of their tournament appearances. 

The Broncos will be playing with the chip of missing a seed on their shoulders. Huerta said, "We know that we can beat Long Beach and if we work our hardest and play our best we can beat Stanford as well."

Contact Henry Gula at hgula@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.