Oct. 12, 2008
MORAGA, Calif. - The Santa Clara men's soccer team was dealt its third tie of the season Sunday afternoon as SCU and Saint Mary's fought to a 1-1 tie. The Broncos are now 2-6-3 on the season and 0-2-1 in West Coast Conference action, while the Gaels are 3-6-2 overall and 2-1-1 in league play.
Sophomore Jalil Anibaba scored the lone goal for the Broncos. It was his first of the season and second of his career.
The strike came early in the first half. Santa Clara had two attempts in the first five minutes. Anibaba tried to complete of corner kick with a header at 3:33 but his shot was blocked. At 16:20, Anibaba took another shot, this time a scorcher straight in front of the goal about 35-yards out that sailed past SMC keeper Jason Badger's right side. The Broncos led 1-0, and aggressively fought to make it a 2-0 advantage going into the break. Santa Clara was able to hold off several Gaels advances to keep that lead going into halftime.
Saint Mary's responded 42 minutes later to knot the match. Justin Grider won a header in the Broncos half of the field and sent the ball up to Malcolm Alugas. At 58:30, Alugas dribbled the ball a few steps and took a shot about 15 yards out that went to the right of Bronco keeper Kevin Klasila to even the game, 1-1. Both teams fought hard to gain control of the scoreboard, but neither team could get a shot on goal.
An uneventful first overtime sent the match to double overtime. The Gaels started off at 102 with a shot by Yousef Sammy that went wide. At 104:49, Connor Mitchell tried to convert a corner kick but his shot also went wide. Saint Mary's tried twice more in the 109th minute but Klasila made the save on the first shot and the second attempt floated high.
In goal, Klasila saw action in all 110 minutes and made four saves for SCU, while Badger collected five saves for the Gaels. SMC narrowly outshot the Broncos, 14-13.
Santa Clara finally returns to Buck Shaw Stadium for the first of two three-game home stands. The Broncos host the Lions of Loyola Marymount on Friday, Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. and then battle the Toreros of San Diego on Sunday, Oct. 19 at 3 p.m.
