SANTA CLARA, Calif. – After a dominant 2-0 win over Massachusetts on Friday night, the Santa Clara men's soccer team topped Northern Illinois 1-0 at home on Sunday. The Broncos remain undefeated at home this season and improve to 3-1-0 while the Huskies move to 1-2-1.
The Broncos hit the road for a three-match road trip starting on Fri., Sept. 12 at UCLA and close out the Southern Californian contest at Cal State Fullerton on Fri., Sept. 19.
"Today we did a good job of locking our opponent out of creating good chances and preventing them from having goal scoring opportunities," said Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast. "We contained their impact players. We created a nice rhythm and some really good looks to score goals. When you are creating chances, you feel confident about your attacking play, and this will translate as we move forward."
The Broncos attempted 11 shots against Northern Illinois and were able to put five on frame. Max Ornstil scored his first goal of the season for Santa Clara while Dylan Autran tallied the assist. Bronco goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh tallied his second clean sheet of the season.
"Max and Dylan in the last two years have done a good job of growing individually," said Rast. "They provide a great consistency, stability, hard work, concentration, and technique for our team. They are always tuned in and that makes a big difference in their good starts to this season."
In the first half, Santa Clara outshot the Huskies 6-0 with three shots on goal. The Broncos got off to another quick start with a powerful strike by Dylan Autran in the 5th minute. From inside the 18, the junior from Oakland, Calif. kicked it toward the top left corner, but was denied by a great save from goalkeeper Andrew Glaeser.
A corner kick opportunity came for the Broncos in the 25th minute. Carlos Delgadillo set up Autran at the back post for a shot that was bounced back to for a second shot. His second attempt flew just high over the crossbar.
Looking to redeem a 4-1 loss to Cal Poly on Friday, the Huskies came out with a spark in the second half against the Broncos. Albert Levett took a strike in the 48th minute that went just wide. Two minutes later, senior Isaac Kannah had a breakaway opportunity but was caught up by Santa Clara's Parker Holland who successfully put the ball out of danger.
The Huskies' Jayson LeSeth was issued a red card in the 60th minute, giving the Broncos a one-man advantage. Eight minutes later, Santa Clara was able to capitalize on the opportunity with a goal from Ornstil. Autran's precise through ball found the feet of Ornstil who then slotted the ball into the bottom right corner passed the Northern Illinois goalkeeper.
Santa Clara controlled the remainder of the second half.
"Two wins on the weekend is good for us and now we are looking forward our next weekend on the road," said Rast.
Game Notes: Attendance was 216 ... five yellow card cautions and one red card were issued.
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