SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Historically thriving on its home field, Santa Clara will try and play to that advantage this weekend and position for a late-season run. The Broncos host important West Coast Conference games against St. Mary's on Friday at 7 p.m., then Pacific Sunday at 1 p.m.

Santa Clara (5-7; 0-1 WCC) is 21-1-4 all-time against St. Mary's at Buck Shaw Field. The one-sided rivalry will come with some added pressure on Friday night, as every result becomes magnified during the short, seven-game WCC schedule. Just four games will remain for the Broncos following Sunday's match with Pacific – three coming on the road.

Collectively Santa Clara is 79-19-15 against the WCC at home, which excludes matches against its longest-standing rival USF, who managed to win a 2-1 thriller at Stevens Stadium Friday. It was the fourth time this season SCU has let a close game, or lead, slip away in the second half.

"We have to fight through, and get over the mental hurdles of closing out games," said Santa Clara head coach Cameron Rast. "We are good enough, and playing well enough to win these games. By no means are we done (in the WCC), we have everything to play for."    

Rast may not be disappointed with the way his team is playing, but recognizes the need to get the results. For example, in Friday's tough-luck loss to USF, the Broncos out-shot the Dons 17-4.

"We will make some adjustments, and we will need some of our young players to step up," said Rast. "The keys for us will be to stay organized, stay tight and not give anything away. Then we have to play for our moments to win it – in both games."

St. Mary's (4-7-1; 1-0 WCC) beat Pacific 1-0 in Moraga on Sunday to snap a five-match winless streak. 

Neither SMC or Pacific (1-10; 0-1 WCC) has been especially dangerous offensively - nor has Santa Clara. St. Mary's has 12 goals in 12 games this season, and Pacific has totaled seven, scoring just once in their last six contests. The Broncos have 10 goals on the year, albeit against a much more challenging schedule, against the likes of NSCAA-ranked teams' No. 2 North Carolina, No. 5 Wake Forest, No. 6 Akron and No. 24 Seattle. 

Fans can purchase tickets by contacting the SCU ticket office at (408) 554-4660. 

Pictured is senior forward Alfred "Alfie" Edmonds (San Jose, Calif./Bellarmine Prep)