Dec. 9, 2003
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This Week: NCAA College Cup
Santa Clara, the 2003 West Coast Conference Champion, will take on 8th-seeded Indiana in one semifinal match at the 2003 College Cup Friday evening at the Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. The winner of the Santa Clara-Indiana match will take on the winner of the other semifinal match between St. John's and Maryland. SCU is making its fifth all-time appearance in the College Cup with the previous four coming in 1989, 1991, 1998 and 1999. In its last College Cup match in 1999 the Broncos came up on the short end, dropping the National Championship match by a 1-0 score. The Hoosiers eliminated SCU from the 1998 College Cup with their 4-0 victory in the national semifinal.
Santa Clara in the College Cup for Fifth Time in Program History
Santa Clara men's soccer is making its fifth appearance in the NCAA College Cup with previous trips coming in 1989, 1991, 1998 and 1999. The Broncos claimed the program's first and only NCAA title as they earned Co-National Champions status with Virginia following a 1-1 tie with Virginia at the 1989 College Cup held in Piscataway, N.J. SCU advanced to the '89 title match following a 4-2 victory over Indiana in the semifinals. The Broncos again defeated Indiana in the 1991 semifinals, posting a 2-0 victory in Tampa, Fla. Santa Clara was upended in the championship match two days later on penalty kicks by Virginia. SCU made it back to the College Cup in 1998 when it was held in Richmond, Va. Indiana handed the Broncos a 4-0 loss in the national semifinals. One year later the Hoosiers again handed Santa Clara a 1-0 loss in 1999, this time in the national finals of the College Cup that was held in Charlotte, N.C. SCU advanced to the championship match following a 2-1, double-overtime victory over Connecticut.
Cameron Rast Returns to College Cup in Third Different Capacity
SCU head coach has been a part of all five Santa Clara appearances in the College Cup. As a player Rast led the Broncos to the 1989 Co-National Championship and back to the championship match in 1991. As an assistant coach for the Broncos in 1998 and 1999, Rast was instrumental in the team advancing to the College Cup in each of those seasons. This year, Rast returns to the College Cup in only his second season at the helm of his alma mater.
 Kelechi Igwe looks to attain the same prize his father did over 25 years ago, the NCAA Championship.  |
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Like Father, Like Son
Sophomore forward Kelechi Igwe is looking to follow in the footsteps of his father, Tony, who was a member of two national championship soccer teams at the University of San Francisco in both 1975 and 1976. Following his time at USF, Tony Igwe played for the Nigerian National Team before his son Kelechi was born in November of 1983.
In It to Win It
Santa Clara's long-standing tradition of success in the NCAA Tournament is continuing in 2003. The Broncos have an 20-11-4 overall record after Saturday night's 3-1 victory over Michigan. Of the four Santa Clara ties in postseason play, the Broncos have advanced twice on penalty kicks, including a 4-1 penalty kick win this year over SMU, and fallen just once. The other match was declared a tie in 1989 giving both SCU and Virginia a share of the National Championship.
Santa Clara vs. Indiana
The Broncos and Hoosiers have met five previous times entering Friday night's matchup. The last time these two teams met was on December 12, 1999, as Indiana handed the Broncos a 1-0 loss in the National Championship game of the 1999 College Cup that was held in Charlotte, N.C. Despite losses in their last two meetings, Santa Clara holds a 3-2-0 all-time series advantage over Indiana, posting wins in 1988, 1989 and 1990. Both teams have two victories against one another in College Cups with the Broncos winning in 1989 and 1990, while the Hoosiers collected wins in 1998 and 1999.
Santa Clara vs. Maryland
The Broncos and Terrapins have met twice in the two programs' histories with each team claiming one victory. Santa Clara defeated Maryland by a 1-0 score in Buck Shaw Stadium on October 3, 1998 after suffering a 3-2 defeat on September 5, 1997 in College Park, Md. The two teams have never met in NCAA postseason play.
Santa Clara vs. St. John's
The Broncos and Red Storm have met only one prior time entering this weekend's College Cup. Santa Clara handed St. John's a 2-1 defeat in Oneonta, N.Y. on December 5, 1998, a win that propelled the Broncos to the College Cup.
SCU Coaching Staff Has Plenty of Cup Experience
Santa Clara's men's soccer staff has plenty of College Cup experience to pass around to a team that has no player that has reached soccer's version of the Final Four. In addition to head coach Cameron Rast's two appearances as a player and two more as an assistant, assistant head coach Eric Yamamoto has played in one College Cup, the 1989 Co-National Championship year, while making two additional appearances as an assistant at SCU (1998 and 1999). Additionally, he has made several appearances with the women's team during. He was the goalkeeper coach for both the men and women throughout most of the 1990's when the women made regular appearances in the College Cup. First year goalkeeper coach Rusty Johnson played in two College Cups for the Broncos during the 1998 and 1999 seasons. He helped SCU to the National Championship match in 1999.
Overtime = Santa Clara Time
Unlike many others around the country, Santa Clara seems very comfortable in overtime matches this season. The Broncos have played in seven overtime matches in 2003 and have a 3-0-4 record in those matches. One of those overtime ties ended up as a win, as the Broncos advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament with a 4-1 win in penalty kicks following its double-overtime tie with No. 15 SMU. Thus far in 2003 the Broncos have outscored their opponents 3-0 in all overtime periods.
England Trip a Springboard Into 2003 Season
As allowed by the NCAA, every four years a team can fundraise for a preseason trip overseas that can include games. Prior to the start of the 2003 season the Broncos made their way across the Atlantic Ocean for a 12-day soccer trip to England. While there the Broncos posted a 4-0 record against various club teams in the England area. SCU also had an opportunity to train a few times at one of the Manchester United training facilities. They also attended Man U's season opening game against Bolton. Heading into the trip head coach Cameron Rast said, "We will have an advantage of additional preseason games to prepare us for what lies ahead. There really is nothing like the environment in Europe to inspire the passion in our players to get our season off to the right start."
 Volunteer Assistant Coach Mike Arzabal has been good luck for the Broncos in 2003. |
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Call Him "The Charm"
Volunteer Assistant Coach Mike Arzabal may be the lucky rabbit's foot for the Santa Clara University men's soccer team. The third-year volunteer assistant has not been able to be with the team the entire year because of a move and change in profession, but when he is around, the Broncos seem to find a way to win. Without Arzabal at the match the Broncos are 2-3-4. With him around, including the preseason trip to Europe, Santa Clara is now 19-0-0 following the team's 3-1 win over Michigan in the Elite Eight.
SCU Ties to Columbus Crew
Former Santa Clara standout Eric Denton currently calls Columbus Crew Stadium home as the two-time All-American at SCU plays for the Columbus Crew. The midfielder/defender scored two goals and assisted on one other for the Crew in the 2003 season. Denton was also a member of the 1998 and 1999 Santa Clara teams that made it to the College Cup.
Broncos Dominant at Home
Santa Clara improved to 8-0-2 at home in 2003 and extended their home unbeaten streak to 14, with its 3-1 victory over 12th-seeded Michigan in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament. SCU advanced to the Elite Eight with a 3-2 overtime victory over No. 12 Coastal Carolina after opening the NCAA Tournament with a 4-1 victory in penalty kicks over No. 15 SMU after the score was knotted at one apiece after double overtime. The Broncos' last loss at "The Shaw" came on September 26, 2002 to California. SCU's all-time record at Buck Shaw is now 175-67-21, which is a .705 winning percentage. Since the WCC began sponsoring soccer in 1988, Santa Clara has dominated at home, registering a 121-24-12 (.809 win percentage) overall record at Buck Shaw, including a 32-4-3 (.813 win percentage) against WCC teams. Only San Diego (2), San Francisco and Portland have ever won a league match at Buck Shaw Stadium San Francisco (2) and Portland are responsible for the three ties in conference games at SCU.
 Junior Will Weatherly not only earned First Team All-WCC honors but also was named a CoSIDA District VIII All-Academic selection. |
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Weatherly Earns Academic All-District VIII Honors
Santa Clara University men's soccer midfielder Will Weatherly was named to the 2003 CoSIDA Academic All-American All-District VIII First Team on November 13. The junior from Bellevue, Wash., currently leads the team in points (17) and goals scored (7) while maintaining a 3.64 overall grade point average in Accounting. With his selection to the All-District VIII team, Weatherly earns a spot on the national ballot for Academic All-American. If selected he will join former Broncos Jack Zwissig (1971) and Eric Yamamoto (1987, 88, 89) as the only players to be selected to the Academic All-American team. Yamamoto is currently in his 13th season as an assistant coach for Santa Clara.
Only Santa Clara Remains of WCC Teams in Tournament
The West Coast Conference placed four teams into the NCAA tournament this season. Along with the Pac-10, the WCC's four bids were the third most for any conference as the Big East and ACC each got in five teams. Santa Clara and Portland advanced after first round wins while San Diego and Loyola Marymount received first round byes. While SCU defeated LMU in round two, San Diego was ousted in penalty kicks by Creighton and Portland lost to Washington by a 1-0 score. Since 1996 no other school in the WCC other than Santa Clara has advanced past the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Broncos have now done it three times since 1996, as they advanced to the College Cup in both 1998 and 1999. The last time that a team other than SCU advanced past the second round was in 1995 when Portland defeated the Broncos in the third round.
 Erik Ustruck was one of five SCU players selected to All-WCC teams. |
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Broncos Grab Postseason Honors
The Santa Clara University men's soccer team had five of its players earn spots on the 2003 All-West Coast Conference teams while head coach Cameron Rast was named the WCC Coach of the Year on Wednesday. Rast earns Coach of the Year honors in only his second season at the helm of his alma mater. He guided the Broncos to a 5-1-0 mark in league play, earning the 2003 WCC Championship. He led SCU to a top-10 ranking for most of the year, currently at No. 6 according to Soccer America, and will take the squad into the NCAA Tournament, which begins Friday evening at 7 p.m. against No. 15 SMU in Buck Shaw Stadium. Juniors Ryan Cochrane, Steve Cronin and Will Weatherly, who all fit that definition of talented student-athletes, secured first team honors following their standouts seasons. Cochrane helped the Broncos to a 0.65 goals-against average during the season while being named a Finalist for the M.A.C. Hermann Award, which will be announced at the College Cup. Cronin posted the league's best goals-against average with his 0.59 mark. His career goals-against average was lowered to 0.47 this season, giving him the second lowest mark in WCC history, second only to U.S. National Team keeper and former Portland standout Kasey Keller. Weatherly led the league in shots and paced the Broncos with his 14 points that came on six goals and two assists. His game-winning goal against San Diego secured the league title for the Broncos and gave them the conference's automatic berth into the postseason. Freshman Erik Ustruck earned second team All-WCC honors after the midfielder from Manchester, Mo., scored three goals in league play, all three of which were game-winners. Sophomore Kelechi Igwe rounded out the Bronco honorees as his honorable mention selection came after he tallied four goals and notched a team-high four assists in 2003. Rast's selection as WCC Coach of the Year is the fourth such honor for a SCU men's soccer head coach in the 15-year history of soccer in the conference. Steve Samson claimed the honor in 1989 while Mitch Murray, Rast's predecessor and mentor, earned the honor in both 1991 and 2001. He becomes the first person in WCC history to claim both an individual playing honor and the Coach of the Year honor. He earned WCC Defender of the year honors in both 1989 and 1991 while playing for the Broncos.
Cochrane and Cronin With U.S. U-20 Team
Juniors Ryan Cochrane and Steve Cronin missed the second, third and fourth rounds of the NCAA Tournament and will miss the College Cup due to commitments with the U.S. U-20 National Team that is participating in the FIFA World Youth Championships that are currently being held in the United Arab Emirates. Both were first team All-WCC members and key cogs to the Bronco defense. Cronin led the WCC in goals-against average with his 0.60 mark, allowing only 11 goals all season in nearly 1,150 minutes between the pipes. Cochrane anchored the Bronco defense and was a candidate for conference player of the year honors. He was a Socccer America Freshman All-American in 2001 and a honorable mention All-American in 2002. The duo helped the U.S. to a 3-1 victory over Paraguay in the first round of the tournament, but were bested by Germany, 3-1, in Tuesday morning's second match. They helped the American squad to a 2-0 victory over Korea to capture their group in the preliminary rounds. After a 2-0 win over the Ivory Coast on Monday, December 8, Cronin and Cochrane will play with the U.S. in the quarterfinal round against Argentina on Friday, December 12.
Rast in Elite Company
Second year head coach Cameron Rast became only the second head coach in Santa Clara men's soccer history to win 10 games in his first two years at the helm of the program. He joins his predecessor and mentor Mitch Murray as the only two to have accomplished the feat. Rast is now 26-9-5 overall after going 10-6-1 in his first year while Murray posted records of 20-1-2 and 10-7-1 in his first two campaigns. Former coaches Dave Chaplik (1972-80), Ralph Perez (1981-85) and Steve Sampson (1986-90) all posted 10 wins in two of their first three seasons, but did not posted back-to-back 10-win years to begin their coaching careers on the Mission Campus.
Cochrane Tabbed as a M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Award Semifinalist
Santa Clara University junior defender Ryan Cochrane was tabbed as one of 15 players to watch this season for the M.A.C Hermann Trophy that is presented annually to the top collegiate soccer player in the country. A preseason All-American selection prior to the start of the 2003 season, Cochrane is one of only four defenders on the Hermann Trophy watch list. He is also one of only two players from the West Coast on the list, joining UCLA midfielder Aaron Lopez Jr. A nominating committee consisting of conference representatives from each Division I conference will select a final ballot of the top 15 candidates in early November. The winners of the award are selected through voting by Division I collegiate coaches who are members of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The winners will be announced in conjunction with the NCAA Men's College Cup in Columbus, Ohio, in December.
NCAA Fourth Round Recap - SCU 3, Michigan 1
Two goals from Kelechi Igwe sparked the sixth-ranked Santa Clara University men's soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Michigan in the Elite Eight Saturday night at Buck Shaw Stadium. With the win, the Broncos advance to the 2003 College Cup in Columbus, Ohio, the fifth trip to the national semifinals in program history. Santa Clara improves to 16-3-4 overall while Michigan's season ends with a 14-7-1 mark and a quarterfinal appearance in only the fourth year of the program's existence. Igwe scored SCU's first goal at the 10:15 mark of the first half as he slid the ball past Wolverine netminder Peter Dzubay for a 1-0 lead. Igwe's fifth goal of the year was setup off a throw in from Matt Upton whose toss was flicked on by Kirk Fonseca to the waiting feet of Igwe. Michigan responded at the 28:31 mark when Mychal Turpin netted his 14th goal of the season on a one-touch goal off a deft crossing pass from Ryan Sterba. From there both teams remained physical on the field as the rain continued to pour on an already soaked Buck Shaw Stadium surface. As the end of the first stanza approached both teams seemed destined to enter the locker rooms tied at the intermission. However, a costly handball inside the penalty box by a Michigan player gave Jason Cunliffe a free kick from the mark and he gave the Broncos' a 2-1 lead on the penalty kick at the 42:33 mark. Both keepers had one save at the break and both teams managed five shots apiece while Santa Clara held a 12-10 advantage in penalties. In the second half Santa Clara came out as the more aggressive team despite the disparity of time of possession early in the second stanza. The Broncos were whistled for 11 second-half penalties, while the Wolverines committed only four fouls. As time went on and Michigan continue its pressure forward, the Broncos mounted more and more counter attacks and it finally paid off in the 81st minute as Audren Cashman sent a ball into the 18-yard box where Keith DeVey had his shot deflected off the keeper. The ball bounced off Dzubay's hands right to an oncoming Igwe's who calmly headed home the insurance goal that the Broncos were looking for. His seventh goal of the season and second of the match gave SCU a commanding 3-1 lead with less than 10 minutes to play. Michigan never really mounted any threatening attack after the third goal was scored by the Broncos, leading many of the 1,917 rowdy fans at "The Shaw" to storm the field when the clock hit triple zero.
NCAA Third Round Recap - SCU 3, Coastal Carolina 2 (OT)
Will Weatherly's seventh goal of the season came in the fifth minute of the first overtime to lift No. 6 Santa Clara to a 3-2 victory over No. 12 Coastal Carolina in the third round of the NCAA Tournament Sunday afternoon at Buck Shaw Stadium. The game-winner off Weatherly's foot came off a throw in from the left side that was taken by Matt Upton. The throw slid across the box and deflected off a Coastal Carolina defender on to the waiting foot of Weatherly who one-timed the ball into the left side of the net for the Bronco victory. SCU improves to 15-3-4 in 2003 while their all-time record in NCAA play goes to 19-11-4. The Broncos also saw their home unbeaten streak increase to 13 matches, with an 11-0-2 record during that time in a streak that dates back to September 26, 2002. Coastal Carolina's season ends with an overall record of 20-3-0. Santa Clara's overtime victory was made possible by junior Jason Pan whose free kick with 3:57 remaining on the clock found the back of the net to tie the score at two apiece. His penalty re-start came from just outside the penalty area as he powered the ball into the right corner of the goal. The Broncos knotted the score up at one apiece on freshman Tannen Wels' fourth goal of the season as he took a crossing pass from Will Weatherly and kicked the ball into the back of the net while sliding inside the six-yard box. Coastal Carolina took an early 1-0 lead in the third minute of the game as Joshelp Ngwenya headed home a corner kick from teammate Randy Owen to begin the scoring onslaught. Ngwenya added his 21st goal of the season in the 72nd minute to take a 2-1 lead when he took a long ball from Chris Moore and beat two Broncos to the ball where he lobbed a shot over the oncoming keeper. Despite being beat twice for goals, Santa Clara keeper Kent Harkness made three critical second half saves that kept the match close. Coastal's Andrew Paxton made five saves on the day, three of which were in the first half. For the first time all season, the Chanticleers were out-shot in a match as the Broncos took 13, compared to only 12 for CCU. Coastal Carolina did take more in the second half and overtime periods, out-shooting the Broncos by a 10-5 margin in the final two stanzas.
 Eric Irvine headed home the game-winner in the Broncos' 1-0 second round overtime victory at LMU. |
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NCAA Second Round Recap - SCU 1, LMU 0 (OT)
Eric Irvine headed home the game-winning goal in the eighth minute of overtime, propelling the Santa Clara University men's soccer team to the third round of the NCAA Tournament with its 1-0 victory over West Coast Conference rival Loyola Marymount Wednesday afternoon at Sullivan Field. Senior captain Matt Upton created room for the game-winner as he took a crossing pass from the left side and headed the ball that deflected off the crossbar to a waiting Irvine who powered the ball home for the Bronco victory. The goal was Irvine's third of the year. With the win the Broncos avenge their only loss in league play and move their season record to 14-3-4 while ending the Lions' season at 12-7-1. 20 first half fouls dominated play in the beginning as both teams manged four shots in the first stanza. Santa Clara controlled more of the play in the second half as they took five more shots than LMU, forcing Lion netminder Shaun Kalnasy to make five saves to keep the score knotted at zero. Santa Clara goalkeeper Kent Harkness picked up his second shutout of the year on Sullivan Field as he was between the pipes in the Broncos' 0-0 draw with then No. 7 Creighton at the LMU Fall Classic in early September. Harkness made only one save on the day, but it was a big one as head prevented a point blank header from reaching the back of the net in the second half. The Broncos attacked from all angles on the day as Jason Pan, Jason Cunliffe, Matt Upton and Will Weatherly all had multiple shots on the afternoon. Ryan Purtell also figured in the attack as the defender was dominant in the air and proved dangerous in the box on corner kicks and set pieces, creating chances for not only himself but for those around him on the second ball. SCU improved to 18-11-4 all-time in NCAA Tournament play with the win and increase their all-time series record against LMU to 21-3-1. The Broncos advance to the third round for the fifth time in program history and first since their back-to-back College Cup appearances in 1998 and 1999.
NCAA First Round Recap - SCU 1, SMU 1 (SCU advances 4-1 on PK's)
The sixth-ranked Santa Clara University men's soccer team kept its perfect home season intact with a 1-1 double overtime tie against 15th-ranked SMU to open the 2003 NCAA Championship tonight at Buck Shaw Stadium, prevailing in penalty kicks 4-1. Junior goalkeeper Steve Cronin kicked home the game-winning score in the shoot-out, as Santa Clara's home record improved to 6-0-2 this season at the Shaw, and 10-0-2 in its last 12 home matches. The Broncos' overall record improves to 13-3-4. The match was physical, with four yellow cards and 54 fouls shared between the teams. The first half was played evenly, as SCU only had a 4-3 shot advantage at intermission. Santa Clara opened scoring in the 65th minute when Kirk Fonseca's cross was redirected by Erik Ustruck to the far post. It was his fourth goal of the season. SMU had a strong opportunity just a minute later, when reserve Dario Saintus took a sharply-angled shot from the right that rolled in front of the goal mouth and just wide of the left post. The Mustangs kept attacking and scored 10 minutes later, at 76:31, when Juke Hashimoto's cross drew Cronin out of the goal. Colin Clark beat Cronin to the ball, and netted his shot into the lower left corner to even the match. The match went into overtime, with Saintus taking a shot that required a diving stop by Cronin midway through the first extra period. Santa Clara took two shots in the second overtime, including a direct kick by Jason Pan with just under a minute left. His shot was saved by Erick Foss, sending the match into penalty kicks. Ryan Cochrane took the first shot of the shootout, scoring with his right foot to the left corner. Cronin then stopped David Chun's attempt, catching a waist-high attempt to his right. Eric Irvine put the Broncos up 2-0 in the shoot-out with his right-footed shot to the upper right corner. His goal was countered by SMU's Mynor Gonzalez, who scored high with his left foot. Foss didn't attempt to guess Fonseca's shot, a grounder to the left corner that put SCU ahead 3-1 in the shoot-out. Cronin then stopped his second ball, diving low and to his left. Cronin then went on the offensive for the game-winning score. Santa Clara's win tonight also marked the second over the Mustangs this season, as the Broncos defeated SMU 3-1 in September. The Mustangs end their season with a 13-6-3 record. Santa Clara now holds a 4-1-1 advantage in the all-time series.
Head Coach Cameron Rast
Cameron Rast took over the helm of his Alma Matter in 2002, becoming only the sixth head coach in the 34-year history of the program. He guided the Broncos as a player from 1988-91, Rast scored 17 goals and assisted on 20 others. He was the team captain in 1989, leading the Broncos to a 20-0-3 record and the school's only men's NCAA National Championship. A knee injury forced Rast to sit out much of his junior season in 1990, but he returned to form his senior year in 1991. He and the Broncos returned to the national championship game, this time claiming the second-place trophy. Rast earned his second All-America honor, as did his twin brother and fellow Bronco defender Matt. In 1991, Rast was a finalist for both the Hermann Award and the Missouri Athletic Club Award, both given to the nation's top collegiate men's player. During his eight years as an assistant, Rast helped produce 67 All-West Coast Conference selections, seven All-Americans, five WCC Defenders of the Year, one WCC player of the year and numerous players that went on to a career in professional soccer. The Broncos amassed a record of 101-42-14 with five WCC titles and seven NCAA Tournament appearances. The height of Santa Clara soccer came in the late 1990's when Rast helped guide the Broncos to back-to-back College Cup appearances in 1998 and '99. In his first year at the helm of the program, Rast guided the Broncos to a 10-6-1 overall record and a 3-3-0 mark in the WCC. He had six players earn All-WCC honors and one honorable mention All-American selection in Ryan Cochrane.
2003 College Cup Information
The 2003 NCAA Men's College Cup will be held on Friday and Sunday, December 12 and 14 at the Columbus Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State University is serving as the host institution for the event. Tickets can be obtained at any Ticketmaster outlet or by calling 1-877-CREW-FAN. For additional information please go to NCAASports.com and click on Men's Soccer.