SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara
University's men's soccer team remains unbeaten in West Coast
Conference play after a 2-1 road victory at St. Mary's Sunday.
The Broncos (5-4-3; 2-0-2 WCC) moved into sole possession of
second place in the WCC standings, setting up a first-place showdown
with league-leading LMU Friday night at Buck Shaw Stadium.
Eric Masch and Cal McKee came off the bench to score for Santa Clara on Sunday, demonstrating the depth of the Broncos 2010 team. Masch – an all-league forward – used a pass from Keigo Kameya to connect from 12 yards out in the 57th minute to put SCU up 1-0.
"We endured a first half where (SMC) was creating the majority
of the chances," said Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast. 'We had
to really rely on our system, and what we worked on throughout our
week of practice as the game moved on. Our guys did a great job of
that today, especially after Friday night, a really long and
emotional game that didn't go our way."
The Gaels (6-4-1, 2-2-0 WCC) – who entered the match 3-1-1
on their home field in Moraga - answered with a penalty kick
goal in minute 63. The goal by Dylan Leslie, his first of the year,
evened the score at 1-1.
In the 70th minute, Santa Clara had a throw in from the sideline,
which was touched by Mykell
Bates and directed toward McKee, who netted a shot from eight
yards out. It would prove to be the game-winner, thanks to the
solid play of Santa Clara's defense and the six saves provided by
keeper Kevin
Klasila.
The Broncos are 3-0-3 since September 19th. The first
half of the Broncos' WCC schedule wraps up with key home games
against LMU and San Diego next weekend.
"Definitely a big weekend coming up for us," added Rast. "This is a young group. It took us a while to get where we needed to be, but we are really starting to hit our stride."
