SANTA CLARA, Calif. (San Francisco, Calif.) – In the final match of the 2014 regular season, the Santa Clara men's soccer team fell to the San Francisco Dons, 0-2. The Broncos wrap up the regular season 6-9-4 overall and 2-4-1 in the West Coast Conference while the Dons improve to 11-6-2 overall and 5-2 in the WCC.
"In the first half, I thought we did a good job organizing defensively and creating good chances to strike first," said Bronco head coach Cameron Rast. "Unfortunately, we didn't have enough to build on in the second half to come out on top. There were moments when things just don't go our way, and we needed to stay more disciplined. For the three seniors, it was an emotional ending to a meaningful experience for them. They battled."
Rast went on to highlight the players' performances. "Edson's biggest strength is getting shots on goal, and he did a good job of that tonight. Steve battled for the majority of the entire game for us. The back line was solid in the first half, but USF was able to put a lot more pressure on us in the second. I also thought Matt Escobar had a good match. Overall, we worked really hard tonight, but the performance just wasn't enough."
USF outshot Santa Clara, 19-7, with Santa Clara tallying three shots on goal to USF's six. Edson Cardona put two chances on frame in his four attempts, and Max Ornstil and Steve Eneme added to the Bronco offense. Goalkeeper Carl Carrwik collected his sixth start of the season against USF and grabbed four saves during the 90-minute match.
San Francisco's goals came in the 63rd minute by Davi Ramos from the top of the 18-yard box and in the 85th minute by Aaron Lombardi off of a rebound. Three other Don's collected shots on goal. Goalkeeper Chase Hauser tallied three saves.
Santa Clara got off to a strong start in the first half when Cardona put his first shot on frame in the 11th minute, creating a corner kick opportunity for the visiting Broncos. Eneme attempted a solid strike in the 17th minute that was blocked.
Carrwik was not tested until the 30th minute when USF's Danny Kirkland decided to pull the trigger and Carrwik collected his 22nd save of his senior campaign.
After several corner kick opportunities and shot attempts by both sides, the half ended scoreless, 0-0.
The second half was started with a shot by Lombardi at the 46th mark that sailed wide. The Broncos attempted to counter-attacked but were called offside in the 47th minute. Two more Santa Clara corner kicks went unanswered and then Carrwik grabbed his second save of the night at the 49th minute mark.
USF was keeping the pressure on with two more shots on goal and found its answer in the 63rd minute off of a cross by David Garrett to the top of the 18. Ramos hit it with his left foot and netted the ball past the Bronco keeper to the upper left corner.
A goal down, the Broncos looked for a response in Ornstil when he put up a dangerous header 30 seconds later. Chase was able to save it.
The Dons kept up the momentum on their home turf tonight and were able to put the match away in the 85th minute. After Kirkland hit the post, Lombardi was able to capitalize on the rebound and put the ball in the back of the net.
The Broncos end the regular season 6-9-4 overall and 2-4-1 in the WCC. All-Conference Teams will be announced later next week by the WCC.
GAME NOTES: A total of two yellow cards were given … attendance was 458.
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