Sept. 26, 2001
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This Week
Santa Clara is pairing with adidas for the second straight year to host one of the finest tournaments in collegiate soccer. The renamed Santa Clara/adidas Classic, which annually features some of the nation's finest teams, is heading toward its sixth tournament. This year, the Broncos host San Diego State (4-3), Southern Methodist (3-2) and eighth-ranked Stanford (5-0), with the Cardinal making its third trip to the Classic. Stanford is 3-2-1 all time in the tournament, and head coach Andy Nelson will be aiming for his 100th career victory on Friday night. The Aztecs and Mustangs will be making their first trip to Buck Shaw. Santa Clara has won all five of the previous Classic championships, most recently last season with victories over Wake Forest and Weber State. The Broncos are 10-0-0 all-time in Classic play, outscoring opponents 51-4 in those matches and notching six shutouts.
Head Coach Jerry Smith
In his 15th season as head coach, Jerry Smith (CS Hayward '86) will be aiming for his 225th career win Friday night against Southern Methodist. He has compiled an overall record of 224-59-15 (.777) and has coached Santa Clara to 12 straight NCAA Tournament appearances. The winningest coach in the program's history, Smith is fifth on the all-time NCAA coaching victory list. The Broncos have been ranked among the nation's Top 25 every season during Smith's coaching tenure and have finished among the Top 10 in each of the last 12 campaigns. In 1990, Santa Clara finished the season ranked first nationally. Additionally, he has coached 13 All-Americans, 11 U.S. National Team Players, eight Academic All-Americans and five WCC Freshmen of the Year, including last year's selection Veronica Zepeda. He coached 1999 National Player of the Year Mandy Clemens and has been awarded WCC Coach of the Year honors five times.
Live on the Internet
Both of Santa Clara's matches this weekend can be heard on a live Internet audio broadcast on www.SantaClaraBroncos.com. Additionally, all four adidas Classic matches can be followed online with a live statistical tracker, also located on Santa Clara's official athletic website. By logging on, fans can receive real-time updated statistics direct from the official scoring computer allowing users to listen to the audio broadcast and keep up with the statistics simultaneously. The features were introduced this season and can be enjoyed for the team's remaining seven home contests. Ram Fletcher and Will Saso will share duties as the voice of the Broncos with SCU men's soccer alumni Mark Wojciechowski adding color commentary.
Five WCC Teams Ranked in Latest NSCAA/adidas Poll
The WCC helped solidify itself as one of the top soccer leagues in the country after placing five teams in the NSCAA/adidas poll this week. No. 5 Portland, No. 10 Santa Clara, No. 24 Saint Mary's, No. 27 San Diego and No. 31 Pepperdine all earned national recognition this week and have a combined record of 25-3-2. While the Pilots and Broncos have been mainstays in the top 10, the Toreros are ranked for the first time this season, the Gaels return to the polls for the first time since 1995 and the Waves are ranked for the first time in the program's history.
Putting Up Points
Santa Clara has outscored its opponents 20-4 through the first six matches of the season. If this pace keeps up, the Broncos will score 63 goals and allow only 13 by the end of the regular season. SCU does hold the WCC record for goals in a season with 108 and for goals allowed with four in 1998.
Season/Match Tickets On Sale
Season and individual match tickets for Santa Clara University's nationally recognized soccer teams are on sale through the Department of Athletics and Recreation's official website www.SantaClaraBroncos.com and the athletic ticket office at 408-554-4660. In conjunction with its exclusive Internet partner, Student Advantage's FANSonly Network, the athletic department has developed an online ticket application that provides fans with the ability to purchase season tickets, family plans, individual matches or an all-sports pass via the official athletic website. Season and individual match ticket packages are also available through the athletic ticket office, open between the hours of 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
A men's and women's soccer season ticket package that includes all 20 home matches is available for the adult price of $60 each, while a family plan provides a family of five admission to each game for the low price of $100. Youth (12 and under) and senior (over 65-years-old) season tickets are also available for $30. Single games are priced at $7 for adults, $5 for youths and seniors and $2 for non-Ruff Riders SCU students as well as members of Bronco Kidz. Single match team passes are also available for $35.
Hermann Trophy Semifinalists
Danielle Slaton and Aly Wagner have been named candidates for the 2001 Hermann Trophy, college soccer's oldest and most prestigious player of the year award, the Hermann Foundation and TEAMtalk, Inc., announced in August. Fifteen finalists were named. Wagner was named one of five finalists for last year's honor, while Slaton and former standout Heather Aldama were named semifinalists. Mandy Clemens became the first Bronco to be honored with the Hermann, when she was announced as the 1999 winner. Clemens was only the second SCU player to capture the title of national player of the year. Former standout Brandi Chastain earned postseason honors following the 1990 season as she was named the 1990 ISAA Player of the Year. Three finalists will be announced on December 1and the winners will be named at the College Cup, held December 8 in Dallas, Texas. The Hermann Trophy, soccer's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, has been given annually since 1988 and is named for Robert R. Hermann, the former Chairman of the Executive Committee of the old North American Soccer League and one of that ground-breaking league's founders.
The Broncos at Buck Shaw Stadium
Santa Clara has posted a 124-19-7 record at the 6,800-seat Buck Shaw Stadium over the last 12 seasons, including an 11-0-0 record in 1999. Over the last six seasons, the Broncos are 74-8-7 (.870) at Buck Shaw.