Sept. 5, 2003
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Reserve goalkeeper Kent Harkness proved to be up to the challenge against seventh-ranked Creighton today as he led the 15th-ranked Santa Clara University men's soccer team to a scoreless draw against the Bluejays in the first game of the Loyola Marymount Fall Classic at Sullivan Field.
Harkness, a junior from Houston, Texas, recorded five saves and the Broncos recorded their fourth-straight shutout dating back to last season in the tie. Santa Clara moves to 2-0-1 on the season, while Creighton is now 1-0-2. Santa Clara has not lost a match on LMU's Sullivan Field since 1997 and its record against Creighton moves to 0-0-2 with a previous tie against the Bluejays in 1994.
"A draw was probably a fair result considering where we are at this point in the season," said second-year Bronco head coach Cameron Rast. "I feel very good about the way our guys played overall and where we are as a team. I thought we played very organized defensively but we do have some room for improvement in our attacking. We could have been a little sharper but Creighton is a good team. As the season progresses I think we'll be in a little better position to get a win in matches like this.
"Kent (Harkness) played well today. He handled every shot they took and was able to make a great save on a free kick that was really hard to control. He stepped-up and did what we needed him to do today and that was to hold Creighton without a goal."
Santa Clara currently has a streak of 405 minutes without allowing a goal, dating back to a 4-1 victory over San Francisco in its home finale last season at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Broncos began the 2003 season with two shutout victories in a tournament at UC Irvine, earning a 2-0 victory over Alabama A&M in the opener and a 1-0 win over Fresno State.
The Bluejays outshot Santa Clara by a 5-4 margin in the first half but managed just four shots in the final 65 minutes of play. During the second half and the two overtimes, the Broncos attempted 10 shots but were unable to find the back of the net.
Jeff Scott was the offensive bright spot for Santa Clara, getting a boot on six shots overall and four on goal. Will Weatherly managed to first three shots at the goal with five other players also attempting at least one.
Starting goalkeeper Steve Cronin was unavailable for today's match for personal reasons.
Santa Clara returns to action in the LMU Fall Classic against third-ranked Southern Methodist University Sunday at 11:30 a.m. Live statistical coverage of the match will be available by clicking here.
The Broncos open their home schedule Sept. 18 in the first round of the annual adidas Classic against CSU Monterey Bay. Santa Clara plays the second game of a doubleheader that day with San Francisco facing George Washington in the first match at 5 p.m. Tickets to that match as well as season tickets and family plans are available by calling 408/554-4660 or by clicking here.