MORAGA, Calif. — Once again, the Saint Mary's women's soccer team welcomed Moraga to the late show as Suzuna Shibukawa struck in the final ten minutes against UC Riverside to extend the Gaels' unbeaten streak to five games to start the season. After pushing Cal all the way through a double overtime to settle for their first draw, Saint Mary's quickly returned to their winning ways on Friday afternoon at Saint Mary's Stadium with the 1-0 win. 

DEFENSE ON LOCK
The Gaels were forced to ride out a hammering of shots from Cal during overtime in their previous game. In their return to home turf, that was certainly not the case. The defense held the Highlanders to zero shots in the first half, while managing four down the other end. Three of those were on target as Isabella Santavicca burst through the back line to poke the ball towards the goal in the 28th minute before seeing a free-kick attempt saved. Vanessa Gaitan tried her luck from distance in the final minute of the first half, but once again Cassia Souza was there to deny the Gaels. 

CRANKING UP THE HEAT
Saint Mary's turned the heat up on the visitors to begin the second half, winning three corners within two a two-minute spell early on. Two of those set pieces came close to the Gaels taking the lead with Brooke Christie and Kimaya Cole both saw their efforts go wide. 

CALLED INTO ACTION
After a quiet hour of play for Taylor Poland in goal for the Gaels, she was forced into action midway through the second half. Alexis Vera played the ball through to Alexandra Hargrave for the Highlanders and the forward fired towards the top left corner. Poland was on top form and stretched to palm away the effort to keep the scores level. It was one of just two saves she was called in to make, making a comfortable save at the near post from a tight angle shot by Daphane Mendez a minute into the second half as the Gaels went on to earn their second clean sheet of the season.  

THE LATE SHOW
The save by Poland proved to be an important one and paved the way for the Gaels to go on to victory. Taylour Mendoza whipped a cross into the area from the right, straight to Shibukawa who was waiting to swing her right foot at the delivery and scoop it into the right corner. The winning goal was the defenders third of the season, after a brace coming in the win over Cal Poly. 

UP NEXT
The Gaels will have another quick turn-around and look to keep the momentum going as they head back out on the road this weekend to face Fresno State on Sunday at 12 pm. 


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