SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The West Coast Conference men's soccer season has reached its halfway point and the teams will break from league competition before getting back at it Halloween weekend.  

Santa Clara will have had two weeks to prepare for Portland Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. then Gonzaga Sunday, Nov. 1 at 1 p.m. 

After three consecutive home games, Santa Clara (6-7-1; 1-1-1 WCC) goes on the road for its first weekend trip since opening the season at current-No. 2 Wake Forest and No. 6 North Carolina. The Broncos' non-conference schedule was extremely tough, having also played No. 5 Akron on the road in early October. SCU dropped those games and is 1-3-0 away from home, beating local rival San Jose State at Spartan Stadium.

The Broncos were terrific versus St. Mary's Friday, Oct. 16 getting second-half goals from Edson Cardona and Andres Jimenez to rally for a 2-1 win. Two days later, despite firing off 16 shots, the offense wasn't able to punch one in during a scoreless tie with Pacific. 

Portland (2-9-3; 0-3-0 WCC) played Denver to a scoreless tie Saturday, Oct. 24. They enter the match with SCU still looking for a conference win. The Pilots have been winless in their last seven. The Pilots allowed three goals in each game of its recent Southern California trip. As advertised, UP's preseason All-WCC players Hugo Rhoads and Eddie Sanchez have played well, providing three goals apiece and scoring in each of their two wins. 

Gonzaga (6-7-1; 1-2-0) is a team Santa Clara has beat in 7 of the last 8 meetings. The Zags are 3-2-1 at home, with a win over current-No. 19 Seattle back on Aug. 30. GU has been impressive defensively as of late, posting four shutouts this season and limiting opponents to one goal or less in 13 of its last 16 games dating back to last season.

The Broncos are a young team, especially along the front line. Redshirt freshman Jonathan Jarrett (pictured) scored the game-winner against SJSU earlier this month, while Jimenez along with Keanu Mendoza, both true freshmen, have been called upon to play more significant roles in the attacking third. 

With a recent injury to SCU's dangerous forward Carlos Delgadillo (9 points through the first 11 games) sophomore Satoshi "Yoshi" Chaffin and senior Alfred "Alfie" Edmonds have also seen extended time up front, and have provided points, each assisting in SCU's win over SMC.

SCU continues to be anchored by All-WCC keeper Kendall McIntosh, allowing SCU a chance to win most every game. The Broncos have played very well at times, and will aim to play up to its proven standard in the Northwest.