SAN JOSE, Calif. – First-year players Keanu Mendoza and Jonathan Jarrett connected on the go-ahead goal midway through the second half to allow visiting Santa Clara a 1-0 victory over San Jose State Thursday night.

A red card issued to Spartan forward Zach Penner just before halftime turned a competitive, physical match into a one-sided affair dominated by the Broncos. 

Santa Clara (5-5-0) used the man-advantage to control play throughout the second half. Jarrett's first career goal on the corner-kick delivery from Mendoza came at the 58-minute mark.

"It's not vicious, it is just not allowed," said SCU head coach Cameron Rast, commenting on the card issued to Penner, who stepped on the leg of SCU's Brennan Castro as he lay defenseless on the turf at midfield. "The lineman was in perfect position to see it, and that's it, he's gone, done. Quite honestly that might have been the difference in the match."

San Jose State (2-6-0) had been 2-0 on its home field this year and were no doubt motivated to play well in the rivalry match with their Silicon Valley neighbors. The two schools are located just four miles from each other and have a soccer history that dates back to 1954.

"San Jose State was fired up," said Rast. "You should have seen their warm-up. They were fired up for this match. The good thing for us is we did not retaliate, we did not do anything silly."

All-WCC goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh made a highlight-reel save in the first half and the offense was relentless after the card, owning a 15-5 advantage in shots on the night.

The Broncos will face their fifth opponent ranked or receiving votes in the latest NSCAA Top 25 when they play at No. 9 Akron on Tuesday.