SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Playing in the NCAA Tournament for the 23rd time in the last 24 years, No. 20 Stanford (13-6-1) suffered a 1-0 setback at the hands of No. 12 Santa Clara (12-5-2) on Saturday in a first-round match from Santa Clara's Stevens Stadium.
Stanford finished the match with an 8-7 advantage in shots, including putting three on goal, but it was Santa Clara's lone shot on goal that proved to be the difference.
After a scoreless first half that saw the two teams combine for three total shots, Santa Clara finally broke through with a goal in the 59th minute. Eden White took a corner kick that was headed away by the Stanford defense. The ball trickled out to Makoto Nezu who fired a shot that was deflected into the goal to put Santa Clara on top and served as the game-winner.
Santa Clara goalkeeper Kylie Foutch maintained the advantage in the 73rd minute, denying a penalty kick from junior Maya Doms. Senior Madison Haley earned the penalty after receiving the ball with her back to goal and spinning inside the box where she was taken down by Santa Clara's Alex Loera.
Highlighted by the game-saving stop on the penalty, Foutch finished the match with three saves in goal for Santa Clara.
The Broncos will advance to play at Georgetown next week in the NCAA Tournament second round.