Overtime Goal Pushes St. Mary's Past Santa Clara 1-0

Overtime Goal Pushes St. Mary's Past Santa Clara 1-0

MORAGA, Calif. – Santa Clara University had its four-game win streak snapped by local rival St. Mary's College Wednesday afternoon. Gael freshman Alan Williams converted in transition, five minutes into extra-time, to break a scoreless tie and give SMC the 1-0 overtime victory.

Santa Clara (5-5-0; 2-1-0 WCC) and all-league senior goalkeeper Larry Jackson had posted three-straight shutouts, keeping opponents off the scoreboard for over 350 minutes prior to William's first goal of the year late into Wednesday's match.

St. Mary's (5-2-3; 1-1-1 WCC) is trying to repeat as West Coast Conference champions, following its record-setting season of 2011. The Gaels are currently the only team ranked among the NSCAA's Far West Region Top 10, coming in and No. 7 in this week's poll.

Neither team generated more than seven shots through regulation time, while corner kick chances were hard to come by as well. When the overtime session began, SMC got off a pair of shots that missed their mark, before Williams got into the open and was able to find the net.

Erik Hurtado entered the week having scored in three straight games and tied for 12th in the nation with .78 goals per game. Hurtado was only able to get off two shots, both finding the frame, but saved by SMC keeper Andre Rawls.

SMC used its 3-0 shot advantage in overtime to post a 10-5 shot advantage on the day. The Gaels notched just their sixth win in 49 all-time meetings with the Broncos, however four of those wins have come during the past nine matchups.

Santa Clara will now turn its focus to long-time rival San Francisco, who will visit Buck Shaw Stadium at 7 p.m. on Sunday night. Sunday's match with USF is Youth Jersey Night. Kids 12 and under, wearing a soccer jersey, will be admitted FREE with a paid adult.