Santa Clara Broncos
Overall Rank: #17
Conference Rank: #2 West Coast
Santa Clara Team Page
Santa Clara is just one of the numerous teams from the West Coast Conference that had success last season. The Broncos, like three of their conference opponents, qualified for the NCAA Tournament and three of the four made it to the second round or further. Santa Clara bowed out in the second round, losing 2-1 to eventual Final Four participant Stanford. The Broncos had lost to the Cardinal to start the season 6-1. The 2012 season saw the team go undefeated (five wins, four ties) during the entire month of September and until October 14th. The Broncos will be looking to make their 21st NCAA Tournament, a place they have missed just once since 1989.
2012 Record: 12-4-6, 4-1-3
2012 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jerry Smith
Strengths:
The Broncos bring back eight starters, including three of the top four scorers from last season and former All-Big Ten Cornhusker Morgan Marlborough. Leading the pack is Julie Johnston, who had a squad-leading eight goals and five assists, which was second on the team. Sophia Huerta finished the year second in goals with six and she also had a team-leading six assists. Also returning for Santa Clara this season is Danielle Wetherholt, who had five goals in her freshman campaign. Andi Tostanoski had a breakout freshman campaign last season as well, as she played nearly 1,900 minutes in goal, racking up 79 saves and seven shutouts.
Weaknesses:
With the Broncos returning most of their players, there aren't too many weaknesses for this year's squad. The biggest loss statistically seems to be Lauren Matheson, who had five goals and three assists last season. Two other seniors, Olivia Kiel and Meleana Shim, had three goals each. Backup goalie Alexis Rubattino also doesn't return, but Molly Mettler, who was the squad's backup two years ago, returns for her junior year.
Final Projection:
Santa Clara is one of the country's premier programs and its NCAA track record has proven it. Bringing back so many starters, including players who can put the ball into the net, will help the team replace the players who graduated. The Broncos bring in the seventh-best recruiting class led by Morgan Stanton and Jenna Roerig. Roerig was on the U.S. U18 WNT, while Stanton was on the U17 team. The duo are two of at least six four-stars in the class as well. Santa Clara has quite the ambitious schedule as well, starting the season off with games against defending champion UNC and Virginia. Long Beach State, Fresno State, Maryland, Iowa St., Cal, Stanford, Kansas and Cal Poly highlight the rest of the nonconference schedule.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Julie Johnston, Senior, M/F, 8
Assists: Sophia Huerta, Junior, F, 6
Shots: Sophia Huerta, Junior, F, 86
Saves: Andi Tostanoski, Sophomore, 79
Madness 2014 NWSL Draft Rankings:
#2 Julie Johnston
#13 Morgan Marlborough
Madness 2013 Women’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#15 Morgan Stanton
#69 Mariana Galvan
#75 Jenna Roering
#81 Jordan Jesolva
#120 Emily Johnson
See All Women's Soccer Top 44 Team Previews
