Sept. 25, 2009
SANTA CLARA, CA - Santa Clara's Anessa Patton scored the game's only goal in the 17th minute and the No. 9 Bronco defense held Cal State Fullerton to just two shots on the night en route to a 1-0 victory over the Titans on Friday evening in front of 810 fans at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara.
The loss snapped Fullerton's three-match unbeaten streak as the Titans fell to 2-5-1 overall on the season. Santa Clara improved to 8-2 overall on the season and improved its record to 6-0-1 all-time against Cal State Fullerton, although Friday marked the fifth time in seven meetings that a match has been decided by a single goal.
Patton converted at the 17:16 mark of the match, working a give-and-go with teammate Amanda Webster and burying her shot past Titans keeper Jordan-Michelle Santos for her third goal of the season and the 1-0 lead.
Turns out that would be all the Broncos would need as Geminesse Martinez and Kimi Cece would be the only Fullerton players to tally shots on the night (both in the first half) with Martinez's strike forcing Santa Clara keeper Bianca Henninger to make her only save of the contest just 40 seconds into the match.
The Titans' offense tried to push the pace all night, but was whistled for six offsides calls for the match. The Broncos led 16-2 in the shot column and 9-3 on corners for the evening.
Santos made five saves in her second straight start to keep her side in the match, allowing just the single goal. Henninger posted her fifth shutout of the season for Santa Clara, which improved to 4-0 at home this season.
Cal State Fullerton returns to the field on Sunday evening (Sept. 27) at 4 p.m. as the Titans host Washington at Titan Stadium.