Oct. 27, 2004
SANTA CLARA, Calif. -
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This Week: San Francisco and Saint Mary's
The 12th-ranked Santa Clara men's soccer team will return to conference action after a week off when it travels to San Francisco and hosts Saint Mary's in a pair of matches this weekend.
San Francisco is currently one of the hottest teams in the conference, winning its last five matches. Last week, USF claimed a pair of victories over Saint Mary's as it took over second place in the conference standings. Co-WCC Player of the Week Aaron Chandler is the Dons' best scoring threat, leading the conference with 10 goals this season. Defensively, San Francisco has allowed only one goal in its last four contests.
The match at Negoesco Stadium will mark the beginning of the second half of the Broncos' conference slate, as SCU has faced every WCC team once this season. On October 3, Santa Clara posted a 1-0 victory over the Dons at Buck Shaw Stadium. In the series, USF holds a 27-14-6 record edge over SCU.
Saint Mary's is still looking for its first win in conference action, going 0-5-2 in the first round of the WCC schedule. Prior to taking on Cal State Hayward on Wednesday, the Gael's had lost four straight and were winless in their last seven contests.
In the first meeting between the Broncos and Gaels this season, SCU posted a 1-0 win in Moraga. Keith DeVey scored a second half game-winner as SCU opened WCC play. The win was the Broncos' fifth straight over the Gaels with Santa Clara holding a 29-2-2 advantage in the series.
Last Matches: Santa Clara Drops a Pair of Matches in Southern California
Prior to last week's bye, the Broncos dropped a pair of contests in Southern California, putting the first blemishes on their conference record. SCU fell to San Diego on October 15, 2-0, before dropping a 4-0 decision at Loyola Marymount on October 17.
The Toreros posted a pair of second half goals en route to their win over Santa Clara. The teams seemed to be evenly matched in scoring opportunities, as SCU tallied 13 shots in the contest. Will Weatherly recorded three shots in the match, including one on goal.
On Sunday at Loyola Marymount, Santa Clara allowed a season-high four goals, as the Lions scored all four of its goals after the 42nd minute. Despite having four shots on goal and a Jason Pan goal called off after a Bronco foul, SCU was unable to find the back of the net, suffering only its third shutout of the season.
Broncos Ranked in All Four Polls
The Santa Clara University men's soccer team continues to be a mainstay in the top-25 polls as the Broncos are ranked in each poll again this week. SCU has been ranked in each poll every week during the 2004 season. Santa Clara is currently tabbed 12th by both College Soccer News and Soccer America, while being ranked 13th by Soccer Times. SCU has been ranked 23rd by the nation's coaches in the NSCAA poll.
SCU Among the Nation's Best
The Broncos are among the country's leaders in three different team categories in the NCAA Division I statistics. SCU currently ranks ninth in shutout percentage with a 0.57 mark after recording eight shutouts in 14 contests this season. Santa Clara also ranks 11th in win-loss percentage with a 0.786 mark. The defense also is among the country's top-15 in goals against average as its 0.71 average ranks 14th. Also, in each of these categories, Santa Clara paces the West Coast Conference.
Individually, Harkness continues to rank among the nation's top goalkeepers. His 0.675 goals against average is good for 12th in the NCAA and tops among WCC netminders.
Broncos Earn National Recognition
Medhi Ballouchy, Jason Pan, Ryan Purtell and Hector Guzman have each been named to national teams of the week this year, giving the Broncos an honoree in each of the first three weeks of the season. Ballouchy was named to College Soccer News' Team of the Week on September 7 in after his first weekend in a Bronco uniform. A senior defender, Pan was picked by Soccer America honors after leading SCU to the GMU/Comfort Inn Classic title on September 14. Purtell was honored on September 20 by College Soccer News following his MVP performance in the SCU/adidas Classic. Guzman picked up honors from Soccer America on October 11 following his two game-winning goals against Portland and Gonzaga.
Season/Match Tickets on Sale
Season and individual match tickets for Santa Clara University's nationally-recognized soccer teams are on sale through the Department of Athletics' official website www.SantaClaraBroncos.com, and the athletic ticket office at 408-554-4660, between the hours of 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
In conjunction with its exclusive Internet partner, College Sports Online, the athletic department has developed an online ticket application that provides fans with the ability to purchase season tickets, family plans, individual matches or an all-sports pass via the official athletic website. A men's and women's soccer season ticket package that includes the 17 home matches is available for the adult price of $65 each, while a family plan provides a family of five admission to each game for the low price of $100. Youth (12 and under) and senior (over 65-years-old) season tickets are also available for $30. Single games are priced at $7 for adults, $5 for youths and seniors and $2 for non-Ruff Riders SCU students as well as members of Bronco Kidz. Single match team passes are also available for $35.
