LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Santa Clara University's men's soccer team overcame a second-half deficit to defeat No. 21 Loyola Marymount University 2-1 Sunday afternoon, and in the process move into first place in the West Coast Conference standings.
Brandon Zimmerman and Connor Mitchell provided goals for Santa Clara (8-4-5; 5-0-4 WCC), extending the Broncos' unbeaten streak to 11 straight. SCU keeper Kevin Klasila made a season-high nine saves.
"We had a great weekend," said Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast about beating USD and LMU. "The guys did a great job of hanging-in and dealing with pressure and recovering. LMU had scored today and they were looking for more but we got one and really turned the game around."
The Broncos pass LMU (9-5-2, 5-2-1 WCC) and the University of Portland (8-3-5; 5-2-2 WCC) to assume the top spot in the league, two points in front of the Pilots. LMU has four games left, compared to SCU's and UP's three, including a pivotal matchup between LMU and Portand next weekend.
In what was a very physical game Sunday between SCU and LMU - with both benches up in arms lobbying for calls - it was the homestanding Lions striking first following a scoreless first half.
Artur Jozkowicz put LMU up 1-0, scoring in the 54th minute, right-footing a shot from 18 yards out to beat Klasila to the lower left.
Santa Clara answered back later in the half, with efficient play resulting in Mitchell's tying goal from point blank range in the 76th minute, via a cross from Erik Hurtado. Just moments later, Zimmerman put SCU in front when Mitchell set him up for a good look at the net from 20 yards away.
Klasila made number of key saves for SCU, including denying Kyle Johanson in the first half and stopping back-to-back shots by Christian Alvarado and Roger Downes.
"Kevin (Klasila) played so well today," added Rast. "But it's hard to pick one, or even two guys that were more outstanding than another this weekend. Erik (Hurtado) played well, Mark (Daus) and Murphy (Campbell) - just a really solid team effort."
SCU returns to action Friday night, November 5 against St. Mary's College at Buck Shaw Stadium. The team will then wrap up the regular season with two more home games against Portland (Nov. 12) and Gonzaga (14).
SANTA CLARA NOTES: The Broncos have won three straight and have not lost in their last 11-games dating back to Sept. 19 … SCU is now 6-1-2 on the road after completing the weekend sweep at USD and LMU … SCU head coach Cameron Rast picked up wins No. 100 and 101 for his career and moves into third place all-time in WCC wins with 51 … SCU plays all three of its final regular season games at Buck Shaw Stadium, where the team is 50-13-19 all-time under Rast … seven different Broncos have scored two or more goals this season .. Eirk Hurtado, who scored twice against USD Friday night, leads the first-place Broncos in points (10), shots (33) and shots on goal (13) ... check out the team's virtual media guide on SantaClaraBroncos.com, featuring photos and interviews of Bronco players and coaches.