Posted: Aug 24, 2018
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's soccer kicked off its 2018 season with a 2-0 win over Pac-12 conference's San Diego State on Friday night behind two second-half goals by Andres Jimenez and Javier Ruiz Duran.
In the 64th minute, junior Sam Agosti was taken down inside the box giving a penalty shot opportunity for Andres Jimenez. The senior calmly made the penalty kick hitting it low and left just getting it past the diving Aztec goalkeeper Cameron Hogg who guessed correctly.
The Broncos sealed the match in the 88th minute on a Javier Ruiz Duran header off a cross from Alan Camacho Soto from the right side near the end line. The 5-foot-10 Ruiz Duran slipped past the San Diego State defender and elevated to find the left side netting to give Santa Clara a 2-0 advantage.
Santa Clara created 10 chances in the first half to just two for San Diego State but was only able to find the frame once.
In the second half, SCU broke through when Agosti made a run from outside the 18 into the penalty area and was tripped up by an Aztec challenge to setup a penalty kick.
Santa Clara goalkeeper Dakota Havlick was credited with the shutout making one save as the young backline of the Broncos, comprised of three freshmen – Martin Aasen, Emil Christensen and Sakari Carter – along with sophomore Terrell Smith held strongly to allow only four SDSU shots.
Next up for the Broncos is a Sunday night match against UAB at 7:30 p.m. PT.
NOTES:
• Rast improved his record in season openers to 9-8 including 4-4 at home.
• Friday's win was the first season opening win since 2014 when the Broncos beat Nebraska-Omaha, 3-2, in overtime.
• Aasen, Christensen and Carter all started, making their Bronco debuts.
• Sophomore transfer Camacho Soto and freshman Julian Bravo came off the bench to make their Bronco debuts.
• Ruiz Duran has scored a goal in every match this season, including the two preseason matches.
HIGHLIGHTS | Two second half tallies (Ruiz, Jimenez) take the #SCUBroncos to a season-opening triumph! #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/8349OEdDu8
— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) August 25, 2018
Broncos Head Coach Cam Rast discusses Friday's season opening 2-0 victory over @AztecMensSoccer. #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/AYpRQfjGM1
— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) August 25, 2018
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