SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara has a lot to play for on Saturday, when they host their regular season finale against San Diego at 7 p.m. The league title and a berth into the NCAA Tournament is out there to be claimed, on a night the team's seniors will be suting up at home for the last time.

Santa Clara (9-7-1; 4-1-1) has gone unbeaten in its last five games to position itself for postseason play. To claim a share of the WCC Championship and earn the league's automatic tournament berth, the Broncos must beat San Diego - and have LMU either tie or win on the road at USF.

In four of the last five seasons, and for this group of seniors, SCU has entered its final game with a chance at the championship.

"We have been fortunate; it's been very common for us to be alive in the last weekend of the season, which is not true for most programs," says head coach Cam Rast, who has guided his alma mater to six NCAA Tournaments and four WCC Championships. "We would prefer to be on the inside (track) more than we are right now and more than we have been, but we are always playing for it. We are always in that mix."  

The senior class is comprised of goalkeeper Kendall McIntosh, defenders Max Ornstil and Matt Escobar, along with forward Alfred "Alfie" Edmonds  (pictured) and midfielder Dylan Autran – all key pieces to Santa Clara's success and outstanding scholar-athletes.

The three-team race for the title sets up an interesting scenario Saturday night. An hour before kickoff at Stevens Stadium, LMU starts its match at USF. San Francisco – the preseason favorites to win the WCC- has rebounded from dismal non-conference season to have a shot at the title as well. The Dons are in a similar spot as the Broncos – needing a win, and rooting for SCU to beat USD.   

San Diego (10-4-3; 5-0-1) on the other hand, has earned enough points to win a share of the regular season title regardless of what happens Saturday. However, to avoid being left out of the postseason, the Toreros will have to come up with a win or tie against SCU.

The Broncos have been playing their best soccer of the season as of late. SCU swept the Northwest schools on the road, then got an overtime goal from star forward Carlos Delgadillo to beat LMU last week.

"We have been moving the ball better than we have in a while," says Rast. "I thought that was some of the trouble we were having earlier in the season, the consistency in our ball movement, creating good opportunities. You know, it only takes one slip up, or one moment in soccer, and you can take a goal that changes everything. But on a consistency side, what we are seeing are the benefits of playing well over time, and how through a season that tends to benefit you in the end."