Stampede Mes Amies

Santa Clara Women’s Soccer took their skills to Europe in June and cheered on the U.S. women’s national soccer team during its successful quest for world domination. Coach Jerry Smith called it “the ultimate bonding trip.” The team played a few games themselves. But one of their best stops was catching the match between France and the USA, where the Broncos watched alumna Julie Johnston Ertz ’14

and the U.S. team defeat France, earning a spot in the semifinals. For many of the players, seeing a live World Cup match was on the bucket list. “Ever since I was probably 4 or 5, I’ve dreamt about going to a World Cup game. So this is like a dream come true for me,” midfielder Kelcie Hedge ’19 says. The world is already seeing this generation of Broncos shine on the World Cup stage: In 2015, forward Maria Sanchez ’19 played a World Cup match for Mexico against England. This trip may be just the first of many to the international stage for these Bronco soccer stars.