Wednesday, September 24
Moraga, CA
4:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
6-1-1, 1-0-0
1
vs
0
Gonzaga
2-7-0, 0-1-0
1
2
F
Gonzaga
0
0
0
Saint Mary's (CA)
0
1
1
#30 Brooklyn Smith: 31 MP, 1 G (3), scored game winner in 1-0 win vs. Gonzaga
Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner
WSOC | 90th Minute Winner Gives Saint Mary’s Conference Opening Win Over Gonzaga
9/24/2025 8:16:00 PM | Women's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. - A funky fall day in Moraga that included some light showers throughout the match was capped off with a dramatic 90th minute game winner from junior forward Brooklyn Smith, pushing the Gaels shutout/win streak to six games and securing their first conference victory of the season.
Wednesday's conference opening match featured back-and-forth action as Gonzaga threatened to take the lead with ten of their twelve shots coming in the second half. SMC keeper Kate Plachy was solid again, making sure-handed saves all match long. Plachy finished with a game high five saves before Brooklyn Smith netted her third goal of the season with just 27 seconds remaining. Saint Mary's pushes their win streak to six games for the first time since 2011 and six consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1999.
FIRST HALF SMC 0-0 GU
Saint Mary's put together the better chances over the first 45 minutes, outshooting Gonzaga 7-2. Despite the attempts, Gonzaga's keeper was only forced to make one save as several Gael shot attempts failed to hit the target. The game would enter the half scoreless as the rain continued to come down and affect the players footing on the field.
FINAL SMC 1-0 GU
Gonzaga kicked things into another gear in the second half, recording ten shots and forcing five saves from Plachy in net. Not every shot was threatening but Plachy had solid hands and was sure not to give any second chances. Head coach Theresa Romagnolo had to rely on her bench more than she has all season, using seven substitutions over the course of the match.
Redshirt freshmen Te'aMahina Uemura played a career high 79 minutes at the center back position while midfielders Natalie Mejia and Zoe Maikai saw valuable time as well off the bench.
As the game entered the final minute, Saint Mary's had a throw-in near their own bench and a deflection would put the ball to Sydney Middaugh's feet with space to dribble into the middle of the field. Middaugh played a cross-field ball to Brooklyn Smith who found the ball at her feet just outside the left corner of the 18-yard box. Smith took a quality first touch to her left and hammered a shot that found the opposite corner of the net to stun the Zags and give the Gaels the walk-off game winner.
The development of the goal was swift but Smith executed a perfectly struck shot to record her third goal of the season and seal the dramatic 1-0 victory. In fitting fashion, Kate Plachy comfortably caught a long shot attempt from a Gonzaga defender near midfield for her fifth save of the match as time expired.
The Gaels pushed their win streak to six games for their longest since 2011 and six consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1999. Six straight shutouts is also the longest active streak in the NCAA as the Gaels continue to draw national attention after being ranked 20th in this week's Top Drawer Soccer poll.
Amari Hicks, Molly Silva, Sydney Middaugh, Emmie Ennis, Maddie Lucas and Aleiyah Schexnayder played all 90 minutes for Saint Mary's. Ennis led the team with five shot attempts while Middaugh recorded her second assist of the season. Three different players now lead the team with three goals this season (Schwarze, Middaugh, Smith).
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's improved to 6-1-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. They will look to keep their win/shutout streak alive Saturday evening as they head into the city to take on San Francisco. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 PM and you can catch all the action live on ESPN+.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Wednesday's conference opening match featured back-and-forth action as Gonzaga threatened to take the lead with ten of their twelve shots coming in the second half. SMC keeper Kate Plachy was solid again, making sure-handed saves all match long. Plachy finished with a game high five saves before Brooklyn Smith netted her third goal of the season with just 27 seconds remaining. Saint Mary's pushes their win streak to six games for the first time since 2011 and six consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1999.
FIRST HALF SMC 0-0 GU
Saint Mary's put together the better chances over the first 45 minutes, outshooting Gonzaga 7-2. Despite the attempts, Gonzaga's keeper was only forced to make one save as several Gael shot attempts failed to hit the target. The game would enter the half scoreless as the rain continued to come down and affect the players footing on the field.
FINAL SMC 1-0 GU
Gonzaga kicked things into another gear in the second half, recording ten shots and forcing five saves from Plachy in net. Not every shot was threatening but Plachy had solid hands and was sure not to give any second chances. Head coach Theresa Romagnolo had to rely on her bench more than she has all season, using seven substitutions over the course of the match.
Redshirt freshmen Te'aMahina Uemura played a career high 79 minutes at the center back position while midfielders Natalie Mejia and Zoe Maikai saw valuable time as well off the bench.
As the game entered the final minute, Saint Mary's had a throw-in near their own bench and a deflection would put the ball to Sydney Middaugh's feet with space to dribble into the middle of the field. Middaugh played a cross-field ball to Brooklyn Smith who found the ball at her feet just outside the left corner of the 18-yard box. Smith took a quality first touch to her left and hammered a shot that found the opposite corner of the net to stun the Zags and give the Gaels the walk-off game winner.
FINAL | SMC 1 - GON 0
— Saint Mary's Women's Soccer (@SMC_WSoccer) September 25, 2025
With TWENTY SIX SECONDS remaining Brooklyn Smith launches a goal into the corner of the net to send Gonzaga packing! This is the Gaels' sixth shutout in a row!#GaelsRise pic.twitter.com/G7wKeKTiAT
The development of the goal was swift but Smith executed a perfectly struck shot to record her third goal of the season and seal the dramatic 1-0 victory. In fitting fashion, Kate Plachy comfortably caught a long shot attempt from a Gonzaga defender near midfield for her fifth save of the match as time expired.
The Gaels pushed their win streak to six games for their longest since 2011 and six consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1999. Six straight shutouts is also the longest active streak in the NCAA as the Gaels continue to draw national attention after being ranked 20th in this week's Top Drawer Soccer poll.
Amari Hicks, Molly Silva, Sydney Middaugh, Emmie Ennis, Maddie Lucas and Aleiyah Schexnayder played all 90 minutes for Saint Mary's. Ennis led the team with five shot attempts while Middaugh recorded her second assist of the season. Three different players now lead the team with three goals this season (Schwarze, Middaugh, Smith).
LOOKING AHEAD
Saint Mary's improved to 6-1-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. They will look to keep their win/shutout streak alive Saturday evening as they head into the city to take on San Francisco. Kickoff is slated for 4:30 PM and you can catch all the action live on ESPN+.
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Team Stats
GU
SMC
Goals
0
1
Shots
12
13
Shots on Goal
5
3
Saves
2
5
Corners
5
4
Fouls
11
8
Scoring Plays
Brooklyn Smith (3)
Assisted By: Sydney Middaugh
GOAL by SMC Smith, Brooklyn Assist by Middaugh, Sydney.
89:33
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
5
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
MF
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerMF
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerGK
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerD
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's SoccerD
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