Nov. 3, 2006
Santa Clara, Calif. - The Santa Clara Broncos continued to prove that they are the class of the West Coast Conference Friday night as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over the University of Portland Pilots at Buck Shaw Stadium. The win stretches the Broncos unbeaten streak to nine games and moves their conference record to 8-1-2. Peter Lowry, Sean Danzeiser and Keith DeVey scored a goal apiece to lead the Broncos (12-3-4 overall) to the win. In goal Joseph Buttitta and Ari Zlotoff combined for the shutout, the team's eighth shutout of the year.
Right from the start of the match, the Broncos came out firing and they jumped into to the lead through Lowry in the 15th minute. Senior midfielder Erik Ustruck got free on the wing and then drove a cross into the heart of the penalty box for a waiting Lowry. The junior captain then one-timed a shot past Portland goalkeeper Luis Robles for a 1-0 advantage. The goal was Lowry's fifth of the season, which momentarily moved him into a tie with DeVey for the team lead.
SCU continued their strong play throughout the half, controlling the tempo and stretching out the Portland defense. While no more goals would come, the Broncos created seven corner kicks and fired six shots at the Portland net.
Just five minutes after halftime, Danzeiser gave Santa Clara a two-goal cushion with another great finish. Freshman Amaechi Igwe picked up a loose ball in midfield and eluded a defender before sending a long ball forward to Danzeiser. Danzeiser outran a defender and then softly chipped the ball over Robles and into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the year.
The goals continued to come as DeVey struck for his sixth goal of the year with an outstanding individual effort only six minutes after Danzeiser's goal. Igwe again set the play up by finding DeVey with a great ball in the box. However, DeVey had the ball stripped from him in the box by the Portland defense after a poor touch. Refusing to give up on the play, the senior forward stole the ball back and ripped a shot past a stunned Robles and into the upper corner. DeVey now has 20 career goals at Santa Clara putting him into a tie for eighth place all-time in program history.
Igwe nearly put the Broncos up 4-0 minutes later but Robles was there to make an incredible save to keep the deficit at three goals. Lowry set Igwe up with a through ball that put him in behind the defense. With Robles off his line, Igwe attempted to chip him from the edge of the 18-yard box, but Robles recovered to tip the ball over the bar.
Buttitta continued his great play in goal with a big save on Portland's Matthew Dallman in the 69th minute. Dallman got free on the right side and drove a shot to the far post, but Buttitta, who was named WCC Player of the Month on Friday, dove to his right to make the save and preserve the shutout.
Santa Clara concludes the regular season on Sunday, Nov. 5 with a match against Gonzaga at 1:00 p.m. PT at Buck Shaw Stadium. Sunday is Senior Day as Santa Clara will recognize the contributions of seniors Keith DeVey and Erik Ustruck prior to the game. The NCAA Tournament Selection Show for men's soccer takes place on Monday, Nov. 6 between 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live on ESPNEWS. The Santa Clara Athletic Department is hosting a viewing party at the Bronco in Benson Memorial Center for the Selection Show. Immediately following the announcement of the men's tournament field, there will be a question-and-answer session with Rast and selected players. Media members that would like to attend should contact the media relations department at 408-554-2114. All Santa Clara faculty, staff, students, and fans are also invited to attend this annual event.
