SANTA CLARA, Calif. - At first glance, there doesn't seem to be very much importance placed on the Santa Clara men's soccer team's two spring matches tomorrow at Buck Shaw Stadium. After all, it is only the spring season and the games don't count for anything.

However, when the Broncos kick-off against Sacramento State at 10 a.m., SCU head coach Cameron Rast and his staff will be keeping a close eye on how their players react in competitive match situations. Those observations will guide the course of the remaining five weeks of spring training and help determine the make-up of the squad that will report to campus this fall.

"Tomorrow's games will give us a great indication of where some of our guys stand right now in terms of their place in our program," said Rast. "Playing games during this spring season is so critical for our team selection. The guys are provided the opportunity to be placed in a number of different situations and we are able to see how they react.

"Playing opponents like Sacramento State and Cal State Stanislaus provides a good test for our guys. In addition to having the same types of internal goals as we do, these two teams will be looking to also win the matches. So, that provides even more incentive for our players to show their quality and maintain a high level of intensity."

Buck Shaw Stadium will host a total of three one-hour matches, beginning with the 10 a.m. matchup between the Broncos and Sacramento State. At 11:30 a.m., the Hornets will face Cal State Stanislaus. The final game of the day will feature Santa Clara and Stanislaus with a 1 p.m. start time. There will be no charge for admission.

Santa Clara has played four competitive matches since beginning its spring training on April 1 at the Toyota College Classic in Temecula, Calif. The Broncos also have three intra-squad scrimmages scheduled and will play their final two matches of the spring at home against Cal Poly on May 13 and at Stanford on May 19.

Bronco Soccer Notes