SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Bronco men's soccer team took down Saint Mary's 1-0 with a late goal by Jared Hegardt. The Broncos now hold an overall record of 9-8-0 (6-3-0 WCC) and the Gaels stand at 6-8-4 (4-4-2 WCC).
The Broncos outshot the Gaels 14-10 and shots on goal 4-3. Bronco goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh picked up three saves and the shutout.
The Broncos will continue WCC play at USF on Sun., Nov. 10 at 1p.m. for their final road game of the regular season. The Dons hold a season record of 6-9-2 and are 3-5-1 in conference after their loss to the Gaels on Wednesday. Junior Miguel Aguilar leads the team with eight points for his three goals and two assists.
Saint Mary's came out strong from the initial whistle attempting four shots and two corners within the first 10 minutes.
In the 19th min., the Broncos were awarded a free kick near the midline that was kicked deep into the Gaels' box to the head of Max Ornstil that just missed wide.
Keigo Kameya broke loose on a breakaway run just seconds later for a shot on goal that was saved by the Gael's goalkeeper Lucas Champenois.
In the 27th min., Michael Gates started a play for the Broncos laying off a ball to Ornstil who drew in the Gaels' defense before playing the ball wide to Montes for a shot on frame. Champenois deflected the shot wide for a Bronco corner kick.
A corner kick by Gates in the 40th min. caused another jumble in the Gaels' box where James Huffer came out with a shot that hit the post.
Hanley broke loose of his defender in front of the Gaels' net giving him a shot that looked promising for the Broncos but was saved by Champenois.
Just after half time, Saint Mary's Justin Howard had an opportunity to score off a header but Bronco Phillip Muscarella was there to block the shot and clear the ball out.
A free kick for Saint Mary's on the right flank sent the ball into the Broncos' box for a header shot by Alex Braman that was sent wide.
In the 67th min., Brennan Castro served a ball into the Gaels' box where Gates got on the end of it for a header shot that was tipped over the net for a Bronco corner kick.
In the 81st min., the Broncos continued their attack as Hanley floated a ball across the Gaels' net for a header shot by Castro that was on its way into the net but was hit away by Champenois for a Bronco corner kick.
Cesar Rocha served the kick for the Broncos where Hegardt one-timed the ball into the corner of the net to make the score 1-0 for the Broncos.
The Broncos' defense held strong until the final whistle holding the final score 1-0.
Game Notes: A yellow card caution was issued to Saint Mary's Ever De La Torre … a yellow card caution was issued to Santa Clara's Victor Magana … attendance was 1016.
