Final
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Action Photos
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Erik
Hurtado scored in the first half and senior goalkeeper Naushad
Godrej posted a shutout as Santa Clara University beat West
Coast Conference rival USF 1-0 under the lights of Buck Shaw
Stadium Friday night.
Santa Clara (5-9-4; 3-5-2 WCC) has gone 2-0-1 in its last three
matches and finds itself playing its best soccer of the season.
This after going winless in their first six overtime games and
suffering three-straight one-goal defeats in mid-October.
"It's great to see our guys still committed to our system and
this team," said Santa Clara head coach Cameron
Rast. "Unfortunately we didn't get a lot of the results we
hoped for earlier in the year. But these guys are really working to
play better soccer, being the best team we can be through the
entire year. That's been really enjoyable to work with."
Rast, who signed a contract extension Friday to coach the
Broncos through the 2014 season, saw his freshman striker Hurtado
blast a loose ball past USF keeper Brendan Roslund in the 34th
minute.
Hurtado's team-leading fifth goal set off an extended
celebration for the Broncos and their fans. Not only was Santa
Clara playing to beat its long-time rival, but the match was
featured live on the Fox Soccer Channel as the NSCAA's `Game of the
Week.'
USF (6-9-1; 3-6-0 WCC) battled back, firing-off 12 shots,
including three on goal that were saved by Godrej in the second
half. All-WCC forward Conor Chinn nearly tied it with 12 minutes
left, finding open space and chipping a ball towards the far post
but Godrej came-up with the diving stop.
"I did not have any hesitation to put (Godrej) in tonight," said
Rast after regular keeper Larry
Jackson became a late scratch from the starting lineup. "I am
very happy for him. Not only is he extremely talented, but he's a
senior and a great positive team guy for us."
The match was fiercely contested and went back-and-forth
throughout but neither team was carded and just 10 total fouls were
committed.
Santa Clara will play Loyola Marymount and San Diego at home
next weekend, wrapping-up its regular season schedule.