PORTLAND, Ore. – Santa Clara University's
men's soccer team continues to play well, generating a series of
chances to beat 25th-ranked University of Portland Sunday, before
settling with a 1-1 draw on the road.
Santa Clara (4-4-2; 1-0-1 WCC) remains unbeaten after the first
weekend of league play, topping Gonzaga 3-1 Friday in Spokane
before finishing the road trip with the tie in Portland.
"It's not often you leave (Portland) feeling dissapointed after a tie," said Santa Clara's ninth-year head coach Cameron Rast. "But today we were able to get it to the right guys, the guys we wanted to, but hit a couple posts, a crossbar and had some one-v-one breakaways that we couldn't finish.
"But when you look at it overall, we played with the intent to score and intent to pressure and that's important. There is no doubt we are headed in the right direction."
The Broncos out-shot the Pilots 17-13 and after a scoreless
first half, Murphy
Campbell put the Broncos in front 1-0 just minutes after the
intermission. Campbell connected from point blank range after his
initial shot hit the post.
No. 25 Portland (4-1-4; 1-0-1 WCC) responded with an equalizer in
the 72nd minute when Steven Evans put a 25-yard shot
past SCU goalkeeper Kevin
Klasila.
Both teams threatened with chances up until the regular time
ended, forcing overtime – Santa Clara's second OT match of
the year and the fifth in nine games for UP.
SCU's Klasila and UP keeper Austin Guerrero made some nice stops
in the late stages, and in the extra time, to keep the game knotted
at 1-1.
All-WCC forward Erik
Hurtado, a Portland native, had four shots playing in front of
the family and friends who came out to watch him at Merlo Field
Sunday. He was coming off a three-point effort in the Broncos' win
over the Zags Friday.
The Broncos will now prepare to host local rival USF Friday night
at 7 p.m. For tickets or more information call 408-554-4660.