SANTA CLARA, Calif - Santa Clara men's soccer dominated play from the opening whistle scoring three first half goals en route to a 4-1 thrashing of Sacramento State on Sunday night at Stevens Stadium.
Fifteen of the 22 shots for the Broncos (2-0-0) were on frame with Dylan Bartlett, Javier Ruiz Duran and Oladayo Thomas each tallying their first goals of the season including a pair by Thomas who also had an assist.
Bartlett got the Broncos on the scoring column in the 10th minute when a pass from Juan O'Neill beyond the center line found him wide open as he slipped past a Hornet defender to score on a breakaway.
In the 25th minute, a give and go between Thomas and Ruiz Duran worked to perfection as Ruiz Duran curled in a left-footed shot to the far post past a diving Hornets goalkeeper Ryan Curtis to double the lead to 2-0.
The Broncos continued their impressive offensive showing in the 40th minute on a set piece. Alejandro Barajas sent a free kick towards the goal that Damani Osei re-directed to the foot of Thomas for an easy tap in for the third goal of the half.
Thomas recorded his second goal in the 84th minute kicking in a Dominic Vegaalban's header that deflected off a Hornet defender. Thomas, who had a game-high eight shots including six on frame, has now tallied six goals in the last five matches dating back to the spring season.
Michael Gonzalez broke the shutout with a goal in the 87th minute beating Broncos goalkeeper Ruben Stuiver who started the second half.
NOTES:
• Santa Clara is now 25-2-2 all-time against Sacramento State in a series that started back in 1974.
• The Broncos scored three goals in any half for the first time since Aug. 30, 2019. They scored three times in the second half of a 3-0 win against Holy Cross. It also marked the first time Santa Clara had at least three goals in the opening half since Oct. 14, 2017, when it tallied three in a 4-2 victory over Saint Mary's.
• Santa Clara conceded a goal for the first time in five games, a span of 467 minutes. The last goal given up was against Saint Mary's on March 21.
HIGHLIGHTS:
HIGHLIGHTS | �� �� �� �� Fired on all offensive cylinders in Sunday's 4-1 win over Sacramento State!
— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) August 30, 2021
Goals by @dylonbartlert, Javier Ruiz Duran and @thomsvic12.#StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/AlqNqRcqxl
INTERVIEW:
Head coach Cam Rast on:
— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) August 30, 2021
⚽ First half offensive fire display against Sacramento State
⚽ Dylan Bartlett's goal to open the scoring
⚽ Oladayo Thomas' two goal, one assist performance#SCUBroncos #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/62aVH2OXZ5
NEXT:
The Broncos play their first road contest of the season against 2020 NCAA Tournament qualifier American University on Friday.
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