SAN DIEGO - Eduardo Lopez Perez made a triumphant return to action with a golden goal in double overtime to give Santa Clara men's soccer a 1-0 victory over UC San Diego on Saturday night at Triton Soccer Stadium.
Lopez Perez, who missed all of the 2021 spring season and the first four games of the fall campaign due to an injury, headed in a corner kick from Javier Ruiz Duran in the 108th minute.
The Broncos (4-1) have now won seven of the last eight games dating back to the spring.
The game appeared to be headed for a scoreless draw until Lopez Perez had a free run into the box, got his head on the ball from six yards out and sent a bouncer to the lower left corner past Triton goalkeeper Dominic Peters who made nine saves up to that point.
It was Santa Clara's 17th shot of the game including the 10th on frame compared to 13 and six for the Tritons (1-4). The Broncos also held a 10-3 advantage on corners.
SCU goalkeeper Andreu Cases Mundet earned his third shutout of the season while making six saves.
In regulation, Santa Clara's best scoring opportunity came in the 83rd minute when Ruiz Duran's shot from six yards on a scramble in front of the goal that was saved by Peters.
A few minutes later, UCSD had its opportunity when John Foltyn found himself alone in the box but had his shot blocked as he took time to unload a shot. Alessandro Allen followed with a rebound but it sailed it high.
NOTES:
• Santa Clara is now 1-0 all-time against UC San Diego.
• It was the first extra time match for Santa Clara this season.
• Lopez Perez last played on Nov. 16, 2019 against San Diego in the 2019 season finale.
GOLDEN GOAL:
.@lalolopez408 golden goal header off a corner kick by @javiruiz_9 in the 108' to give the #SCUBroncos a 1-0 win over UC San Diego!
— Santa Clara Men's Soccer (@SCUBroncoSoccer) September 11, 2021
��Caden Buckley's aunt �� pic.twitter.com/bf9WTkEibS
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The Broncos return home to host Houston Baptist on Friday at 7:30 p.m.
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