Watch Preview Video for the Weekend
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara men's soccer team begins its quest for the West Coast Conference Championship with a pair of home games this weekend. The Broncos (4-4-3) host Gonzaga under the lights on Fri., Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. and then take on Portland on Sun., Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. The Portland match will be the second game of a double-header day with the Santa Clara women's soccer team, who play at 11 a.m.
Free live video and stats will be available for the matches on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
"We like being at home because we have very good student support and so we need to reward them with a good performance," said Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast. "The fans want to come out and see us battle and score goals and win."
After a strong showing with a young team in non-conference competition this season, Rast stresses the importance of being on the same page tactically. "We need to win the ball and look to attack with quality, numbers and speed so we can expose the opponent's weakness," said Rast. "Defensively, we need to be connected and organized so that we can limit any opportunities they have to create changes to score goals and shots."
The Broncos have faced three WCC opponents in the 2014 season but only the last seven WCC match-ups count towards the Championship standings. Over the past two weekends, Santa Clara tied LMU and USF and then fell 2-1 to USD.
Freshman Carlos Delgadillo leads the team with two goals and seven points. He had the assist on Matt Steurer's tying goal last Sunday against San Francisco, which was featured as the No. 5 Top Play of the Wekk on Oct. 14. Three other players also add to the offensive force and each tally two goals on the season for the Broncos: Steve Eneme, Max Ornstil and Edson Cardona.
With Kendall McIntosh in the net and Benjamin Kucera and Valdemar Andersen holding down the back line, the Bronco defense has shut out opponents four times this year and limits them to a .089 shot percentage. McIntosh was named WCC Player of the Week on Sept. 15 and his save in the Cal match was featured as the No. 2 Top Play of the Week on the conference's Top Play Tuesday. He has 42 saves on the season with a .778 save percentage in his junior campaign.
Scouting the Zags
Santa Clara is 20-8-3 against the Zags with the first meeting coming in 1993. Last season, the Broncos topped the Zags twice with a 2-1 win on Oct. 18, 2013 and another 2-1 victory on Nov. 3, 2013.
"Gonzaga is one of those teams where every individual will compete and play hard," said Rast. "They are a bit young after a good previous season, but they are tough and can hurt you."
Gonzaga (2-9) is coming off of a recent 1-0 loss to Portland last weekend. The Zags have topped UNLV, 4-2, and Pacific, 4-3, this season. They have been outscored by opponents 22-9, and visiting teams average two goals scored per game against Gonzaga.
The team is led by Conner Bevans, who has two goals on the season and six points. Jakob Granlund also tallies two goals for 2014. Goalkeeper Chris Lowrimore has started eight games for the Zags and collects 37 saves with a .661 save percentage.
Scouting the Pilots
Santa Clara leads the all-time record against the Pilots 20-16-8 with the first meeting occurring in 1978. Last season, the Broncos lost to Portland 4-1 on Oct. 20, 2013 and then bounced back to victory on Nov. 1, 2013 to win 1-0 in double overtime.
"Portland has some very talented players, and last year we got stung by them," said Rast. "We were in good shape and winning, and then it unfolded on us. So it's important for us to play at a very high level of quality and do that throughout the weekend consistently on Friday and Sunday."
Portland is 4-5-3 with notable wins over Saint Mary's, 5-1, and Pacific, 5-2, this season. The Pilots are led by Eddie Sanchez with four goals and nine points. Erik Edwardson and Brandon Zambrano both have three goals and eight points on the season as well.
GAME NOTES – Fri., Oct. 17 @ 7 p.m.
Gonzaga vs. Santa Clara in Santa Clara, Calif. (Buck Shaw Stadium).
GAME NOTES – Sun., Oct. 19 @ 2 p.m.
Portland vs. Santa Clara in Santa Clara, Calif. (Buck Shaw Stadium)
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