Click here to see photos of the match and Senior Day ceremony by Don Jedlovec
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – On Senior Day, the Santa Clara men's soccer team takes down USD 2-0. The Broncos finish up conference play with a record of 8-4-0 (11-9-0 Overall) and the Toreros stand at 2-7-3 (6-10-4 Overall).
Seniors Keigo Kameya and Harrison Hanley collected a goal each on their special day to solidify the win for Santa Clara.
"I'm really proud and happy for them," said Bronco head coach Cameron Rast. "You want be able to go out on a note that exemplifies your career here and for them to each score and Keigo to get the game-winner I think is special for them and great for us to finish up the regular season."
The Broncos hopes for a spot in the NCAA tournament are still alive and will be determined during the selection show on Mon., Nov. 18 at 9 a.m. (Pacific). The tournament will select the top teams based on Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) for post-season play. Heading into this weekend's games the Broncos held an RPI ranking of 48.
"The season had a lot of challenges early on for us but I think as much as we struggled early on, I give credit to the guys for believing in our vision and committing to it," continued Rast. "For the long hall, we really had a good second half of the season and I think even after our first four games we were pretty solid. We've come so close to the conference championship three years in a row and we just need to learn how to get over that hill but there is still the selection show and our RPI was in the realm of being considered and a win today will certainly help that."
Before kickoff, the Broncos honored their six seniors; Mark Daus, Carlos Montes, Phillip Muscarella, David Torres, Hanley and Kameya, for their accomplishments on the Bronco men's soccer team.
Santa Clara's Dylan Autran took a free kick for the Broncos in the 20th min. that almost dipped into the net but hit the cross bar. Hanley kept the play alive with a shot inside the box but was hit high.
Autran had another free kick from the same spot on the 27th min. that floated to the head of Muscarella for a shot but was caught by San Diego's goalkeeper Michael D'Arrigo.
In the 32nd min., the Toreros created a dangerous chance in front of the Broncos' net, giving Michael Thilenius a shot inside the six that was kicked away by McIntosh.
Just after halftime in the 52nd min., Hanley served a floating through ball into the Toreros' box for Kameya to take a one-time shot that was scooped up by D'Arrigo.
Kameya redeemed himself three minutes later slotting away a through ball free kick from Torres to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead.
In the 66th min., USD's Blake Milton served an air ball in front of the Broncos' net for Keegan Smith to take a shot but was hit wide.
In the 79th min., the Broncos extended their lead 2-0 with a driven shot from the top of the box by Hanley that slid right under D'Arrigo's dive.
Smith gave San Diego a rocketed shot on goal that was blocked by McIntosh. The Toreros were unable to pick up the rebound and the ball was cleared up the field by the Broncos' defense.
The match concluded with a 2-0 Bronco victory.
Game Notes: Attendance was 565 … a yellow card caution was issued to the San Diego's bench, Torrey DeArmas … a yellow card caution was issued to Santa Clara's Max Ornstil.
