SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The reigning West Coast Conference points-leader, Santa Clara University senior forward Erik Hurtado, was named a 2012 Preseason All-American Monday by College Sports Madness. Additionally, the Broncos will begin the season ranked No. 34 by TopDrawerSoccer.com, who recently released their first Top 48 Tournament Rankings of 2012.

Hurtado has enjoyed a terrific collegiate career thus far, having drawn praise from the NSCAA as a 2011 All Far-West Region selection. He led the WCC in 2011 with 19 points and 85 shots as a junior. Hurtado has twice been named an All-WCC First Team player, along with earning WCC Player of the Month honors and three times being selected as the WCC Player of the Week. He was tabbed as the National Player of the Week by College Soccer News during his sophomore season in which he helped SCU win the WCC Championship.

"What's unique about Erik is that he's just so explosive," Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast told Bronco Sports Magazine. "His ability to accelerate and the power in his game make (opponents) focus so much time and energy on him, defending him, worrying about him, because he can do things that most other collegiate players cannot."

The WCC coaches projected the Broncos to finish second in the 2012 WCC Preseason Poll, released last week. Including Hurtado, Santa Clara returns eight final-year players: Wes Culver, Danny Maeda, Murphy Campbell, Gabriel Romero, Larry Jackson, Takahide Kameya and Alex Fitschen.

Santa Clara will host its 2012 season-opener this Friday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. against Bay Area rival Cal – a team the Broncos defeated 4-2 last year in Berkeley.

Single-game tickets for Friday night's match with Cal are on sale now. Fans can purchase tickets online, over the phone at 408-554-4660 or at the SCU ticket office. Season tickets for all 10 home games start at $50 for adults and $35 for youth and seniors. The SCU athletic department is also offering a season ticket 'Family Plan,' which includes five tickets to every home game for just $100.

Fans can also watch every SCU home game, including Friday's opener with Cal, live on SantaClaraBroncos.com All-Access.

Support Santa Clara University Athletics by making your tax deductible donation to the Bronco Bench Foundation. For more information follow this link or call 408-554-5577. For additional involvement opportunities with Santa Clara Athletics, click here.