Posted: Sep 22, 2018
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In a game of many turns, the Santa Clara men's soccer came back twice from a one goal deficit to beat Cal, 3-2, on an own goal in overtime on Saturday night at Stevens Stadium. Miles Robinson and Eduardo Lopez Perez supplied the equalizers for the Broncos in each half before Cal gifted the game-winner in the 93rd minute of overtime.
With the match tied, 2-2, Javier Ruiz Duran picked up a loose ball inside the box and fired a left-foot shot at the Cal goalkeeper Drake Callender who made a diving stop. However the ball deflected off of defender Ian Longergan who was on the line and into the net for the game-winner three minutes into overtime.
"What a wild match today. We've been in four overtime matches so far this season and the first three haven't gone well," said Broncos head coach Cam Rast, who are now 1-3 in overtime matches this season. "But tonight we challenged the players to 'Find a Way' which is an important motto for our athletic department this year, and they did. Javi shot a good ball, it was a difficult save by the goalkeeper and it ricocheted into their own goal. Sometimes you need those breaks."
Cal (4-2-2) opened the scoring in the first half when Alonzo Del Mundo headed in a goal from point blank range off a Francisco Perez pass. Perez looped in a serve from the end line on the right side over Bronco goalkeeper Henning Jolivet to find Del Mundo.
Twelve minutes later in the 34th minute, Robinson got the equalizer with his left foot from just outside the six on a serve from Ruiz Duran that went through some traffic. For Robinson, it was his first goal of the season.
"We brought on Miles from the bench today and it might've been his first touch of the game. Javi turned the corner and we played a ball behind their center backs which is what we talked about doing and Miles found the low corner," said Rast.
The two teams entered the half all knotted at one goal apiece with each team getting off six shots.
In the second half, the Bears took the lead once again in the 62nd minute, this time on Shinya Kadono's goal, his eighth on the year to go up 2-1.
Trailing by a goal for the second time in the match, Santa Clara answered back in the 82nd minute when the Broncos pushed Robinson high and wide in shape of its shift as it chased after the second goal.
"We asked Miles to get to the backline and he did. He cut the ball back because Cal was over dropping. From there, Lalo (Lopez Perez) one-timed it and slotted it into the goal. It was just very well done," said a pleased Rast. "Actually, all four goals by both teams, besides the own goal were nice goals tonight. In the big picture, it was a good soccer game and I'm just very happy we came up on top."
NOTES:
• Freshman Eduardo Lopez Perez's goal was his first as a Bronco.
• Jolivet started for the second consecutive match recording a pair of saves as the Broncos have won each game he has been in the net.
NEXT UP:
The Broncos hit the road again to play its sixth road contest in seven matches when it travels to the Peach State to play Georgia State on Saturday, Sept. 29.
VIDEO | Head coach Cam Rast discusses Saturday's thrilling OT victory over @CalMSoc. Robinson (1st half) & Perez Lopez (2nd half) with goals. Game-winner comes on own goal in 93rd minute. #SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/5JCUyV5hbv
— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) September 23, 2018
