Nov. 17, 2001
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's soccer team won the school's eighth men's soccer conference crown Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles, Calif.
Senior Anthony Chimienti scored his fourth goal of the year and third consecutive game-winner with just over five minutes remaining in the match to secure the Broncos' first West Coast Conference title since 1997. Santa Clara (11-8-0, 5-1-0 WCC) also picks up its first win at Sullivan Field since 1995 and earns a return ticket to the NCAA Tournament after a one-year hiatus.
Chimienti's goal came off a pass from Burke Ewers who sent the penalty re-start from the far right of the field all the way across the penalty box and into the waiting feet of Chimienti. The San Jose native then took the ball after a one touch and beat the Lion netminder with a hard shot to the roof of the goal.
Loyola Marymount (9-6-2, 2-3-1 WCC) came very close to tying the contest with a hard shot with just under one minute remaining that required freshman netminder Steve Cronin to make a diving save to secure his second career shutout.
"This is what we have been pointing to all year long," said head coach Mitch Murray. "This year we focused on winning the WCC title which assures us of a place in the tournament and we seem to be peaking at the right time now."
The Broncos will find out who and where they are playing in NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament during the selection show that will be held on Monday at noon. The first and second rounds of the tournament will be held on November 23 and 25 at sites to be announced on Monday. The third round and the quarterfinals will be played on December 2 and 9, respectively, with the College Cup being held in Columbus, Ohio on December 14 and 16.
