Sports

Arizona women’s soccer aims to keep streak alive in California against Santa Clara

Jacob Mennuti

September 12, 2019

Lexi Horsey

Arizona’s sophomore forward Iyana Zimmerman dribbling the ball up the field during the game against University of California Irvine on Sunday, September 8, 2019, at Murphey field. The game ended with a score of 4-0, a win for the Wildcats.

The Arizona Wildcats hit the road this weekend for two away games starting with Santa Clara University on Friday, Sept. 13. Arizona is entering this game with a 4-0 record while also conceding 0 goals so far this season, outscoring its opponents 15-0 through the first four games.

Santa Clara is coming off a huge win against No. 5-ranked UCLA last week, shutting the UCLA Bruins out 2-0. The Santa Clara Broncos have a track record of upsetting the top teams as they topped North Carolina last season and upset Stanford University in the NCAA tournament in 2016.

Santa Clara started the 2019 season as the 19th-best team in the country in the coaches poll. They have since gone 3-3 this year and dropped out of this week’s coaches poll. They did, however, receive 71 votes, which were the most of any non-ranked team. The ‘Cats did not get any votes despite their hot start in 2019.

What to watch for on Friday:

How will Arizona’s defense respond to Santa Clara’s offense?:

The Wildcats haven’t been tested very much at all this season. Arizona’s defense does deserve a lot of credit, having allowed just 13 total shots this season. Friday’s game should be more competitive as Santa Clara is entering this game scoring 16 goals in its six matches. The ‘Cats are tough in the back-line as three of its starting four defenders are upperclassmen, two of them being seniors. Arizona’s experience should give it the upper hand in this match.

Brooke Wilson and the Arizona offense:

Brooke Wilson, sophomore forward, has been impactful this season on the offensive side for the Wildcats. She has scored 4 goals this season, which is the most on the team, while also recording 2 assists, good for second-most. The rest of the team has also shined, as junior Jada Talley has racked up 4 assists and 2 goals so far, while freshman Madison Goerlinger has also made an impact with 2 goals this year.

Arizona will kick off Friday’s match at 7:30 p.m. in Santa Clara, Calif. against the Broncos.

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