Check out these action photos from the game! (Credit Denis Concordel)
 Interview with head coach Jerry Smith and midfielder Ellie Rice 

SAN JOSE, Calif. - No. 15 Santa Clara women's soccer opened its season with a 2-1 win at San Jose State on Friday night. The win moved Santa Clara's all time record against rival San Jose State to 16-0-0. Sophomore midfielder Ellie Rice scored both Santa Clara goals.

Rice put the Broncos up 1-0 in the 11th minute when she picked up a loose ball near the box and dribbled through multiple Spartan defenders and put the ball in the upper-left corner.

Less that fifteen minutes later Rice scored her second goal on an assist from Olivia Klei. Klei hit a long lob into the box that bounced to Rice who took a shot that clipped the goalie but still found the back of the net.

The Spartan's had their first scoring chance at the start of the second half when sophomore Amanda Heins headed the ball at the goal but All-America goalkeeper Bianca Henningermade the save. The ball got loose but the Santa Clara defense was there to end the threat.

With under a minute to go Spartan forward Kelsey Lord took a shot that went directly to Henninger. Despite the save, a penalty was called on the Broncos inside the penalty box. Henninger was unable to stop the penalty shot and San Jose State brought the scored to 2-1.

Despite the Spartans' late goal, Santa Clara was able to run out the remainder of the clock and secure the victory.

"We're always happy to win a game," said Bronco head coach Jerry Smith. "The first game of the season is always a nerve-racking situation and then you add playing on the road. But we're happy. I thought we played well. We also played a lot of players. A lot of players got their first college game today and we used a lot of our depth. I think all-in-al,l for a first game, we're very satisfied with a 2-1 win today."

Santa Clara (1-0-0) will play its next game on Aug. 26 at UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos (0-0-2) will play UNLV on Sunday before their game with the Broncos.

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