The Women’s Soccer team finished their 9-6-5 season with a 3-2 upset against Santa Clara (12-6-2) today in what Head Soccer Coach Tim Ward called a “bittersweet victory.”
“The girls had a great spirit and gave a good performance Ward said after the game.
After an evenly hard-fought first half, the Waves finished 1-0 after sophomore forward Michelle Manning back-heeled the ball through to sophomore Callie Payetta. Payetta beat two defenders and netted a far-post goal in the 38th minute.
The Waves didn’t relent in the second half, with junior forward Laura Cole beating the defender just three minutes into the half, putting the Waves ahead 2-0. Yet the Broncos rallied almost immediately and, after a questionably called corner kick, scored a header to challenge control of the match.
After that goal in the 49th minute, what Ward called a game-changer the Broncos then caught the defenders standing in the 55th minute and chipped the ball over sophomore goalkeeper Roxanne Barker from the top of the box to tie the game 2-2.
Although the Waves were 8-1 this season when they scored in the first half, losing control of the match was all too common when things began to go the other team’s way. However, for the first notable time this season, the Waves refused to let up.
The team really wanted it today commented Payetta after the game, saying they did it for the seniors; Haleigh Guertin, Michaela Carrera, and Rebecca Klamser.
After twenty straight minutes of battling foul-for-foul and play-for-play, a handball in the Bronco’s box won the Waves a penalty kick and the chance to reclaim the lead. Payetta stepped up to take it and netted the shot in the lower left corner to put the Waves up 3-2.
Although the Broncos didn’t stop attacking for the next 15 minutes, the Waves held on to the win to finish on a positive note.
Smiling ear to ear after the game, freshman midfielder Gunny Jonsdottir said, it felt great to finish with a win standing out during the game by her attacking connections with Manning. Michelle and I have a good partnership. We always seem to find each other’s feet.”
Ward felt Jonsdottir was one of the standout players of the season along with freshman defender Michelle Pao and sophomore midfield/forward Payetta.
“Callie played great today. She made plays and injected life into the game.”
Attacking midfield is a “great position Payetta commented, saying that she was both accustomed to and enjoyed the role on the field.
The team did so well this season and only losing 3 seniors [going into next season] it’ll give us a lot of strength and experience…If all of the girls that played all year get a little better we’ll be a team to contend with next year Ward affirmed.
Shaking off the inconsistency and finding some passion on the field, the Waves ended on a good note against a strong Santa Clara team, giving them some footing and positive feelings as they bring their season to a close.