Men's Soccer Bests Georgia State 2-1

Men's Soccer Bests Georgia State 2-1
ATLANTAAlan Camacho Soto scored two goals in the final nine minutes including the game-winner with just over a minute remaining in the match to propel Santa Clara men's soccer to a 2-1 win over Georgia State on Saturday night. 
 
"It was our best overall performance this season.  Georgia State defends well and to score two goals against them is impressive," said head coach Cam Rast whose Broncos have now won three consecutive matches and snapped Georgia State's (6-3) six-match win streak.  
 
Santa Clara's (4-5) offensive output was the first time the Panthers had conceded two goals in a game this season.  
 
"On the game-winner, Georgia State was pushing the line trying to get the go-ahead score but the ball popped up and we made a run to center circle on their half," said Rast.  "We slid the ball behind their defenders and it was close to being called an offside but Alan took the touch, forced the goalkeeper laterally and slid it past him." 
 
For Camacho Soto, the game-winner in the 89th minute was his team-leading third goal of the season.
 
"We played so well in this game.  It was disappointing to concede the first goal but after we scored, I knew we were going to score again," said Camacho Soto.    
 
His equalizer came in the 81st minute while sniffing out a long back pass.    
 
"We ended up clearing the ball, getting it into their half of the field.  When the left back tried to play it back to the goalkeeper, I just chased it down and was able to put it into the net," said Camacho Soto matter of fact.  
 
Rast was impressed with how the sophomore stayed in the moment to score.
 
"Usually on a back pass like that, players typically turn off mentally," said Rast.  "But with Alan, he turned on the jets, got the ball and eluded the goalkeeper.  I thought the Georgia State goalkeeper might take him down but Alan did a smart thing since he was far out from the empty net.  Alan took one or two touches to get it closer and slid it in with two defenders chasing him and at the net.  He deserved that goal."  
 
Santa Clara was forced to play catch up when Panthers Lukas Joyner scored in the 57th minute for the first goal of the match after a scoreless first half.  
 
"We didn't make many adjustments at the half.  While the game was back and forth, our moment of controlling play was happening and that is important particularly when you are on the road.  I'm just very pleased with tonight's results," said Rast whose team will remain on the road and travel to Cincinnati, Ohio, on Sunday in preparation for the final nonconference match of the season.  
 
NEXT UP: 
Santa Clara closes out its nonconference portion of its schedule at Xavier on Tuesday.  Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. PT.  

NOTES:

  • Goalkeeper Henning Jolivet started for the third consecutive match and was credited with three saves. 
  • Camacho Soto had a team-high three shots.  
  • Broncos tied a season-low using just three substitute players.  

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