Oct. 9, 2009
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. - Bryan Burke's goal midway through the first half staked the University of San Francisco to an early lead and the Dons went on to beat visiting Santa Clara 2-0 Friday night.
It was a battle between two sides that are favored to contend for the 2009 West Coast Conference title. The Dons and Broncos ranked one and two respectively in the WCC 2009 preseason poll, voted upon by the league's coaches.
Led by team captain Jalil Anibaba, Santa Clara (3-6-2; 1-2-0 WCC) generated five shots but the Broncos were shutout for the fifth time this season. Freshman keeper Larry Jackson had five saves for an SCU defense that allowed 14 shots.
Jonathan Levi assisted in Burke's go-ahead goal in the first half and provided another assist in the clincher in the 71st minute. USF (4-5-1; 1-2-0 WCC) won its first league match of the year after being swept on the road last week at No. 20 LMU and San Diego.
The long-time rivals will play again Friday, November 6 at SCU's Buck Shaw Stadium in front of a live television audience courtesy of the Fox Soccer Channel (FSC).
It was the lone game for the Broncos this week. SCU will travel to Southern California next weekend for WCC matches against the same LMU and San Diego squads who beat USF last week.
