HOUSTON – Houston Christian weathered the storm all game long taking on 19 shots by Santa Clara men's soccer before D'Alessandro Herrera took advantage of an opportunity in the 89th minute to score the lone goal of the match to defeat the Broncos 1-0 on Sunday evening at Sorrels Field. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• With the match deadlocked in a scoreless battle, Houston Christian (2-2-2) scored on a quick counter in the 89th minute.  Victor Velasco took the ball out of the defensive third dribbling down the left side all the way to the offensive third before he delivered a pass to Herrera at the top of the 18.  Herrera went one-on-one against a Bronco defender and blasted a shot between the defender's legs that beat the goalkeeper Felix Schaefer low and left. 
• Santa Clara (1-4) had the advantage in possession throughout the match and out shot Houston Christian 19-7 including 9-3 on frame but could not find the back of the net.  

NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• 5: Adem Hamdaoua had a game-high five shots.  Two the shots were on target.  
• 3: Jack Civitts tallied a game-high three shots on goal.  
• Spencer Roberts started his first game as a Bronco. 
• 9: Alex Aitken was credited with nine saves for Houston Christian to record a clean sheet. 

POST-GAME COMMENTS:

Head Coach Cam Rast on the game:
"The big take away from tonight is that you can play well and not win.  I thought we played well - we defended well, made it difficult for Houston Christian, we got turnovers and didn't give them good looks.  But the issue was on the attacking side where we created chances and put ourselves in a good position but we weren't sharp and couldn't punch it in."
 
On the goal:
"We had an attacking action with numbers in the box but hit a cross that was short and in front of their defense where they cleared it and they found the two players that were up front.  We let them have the space and time on the sideline and even though we were in good position defending it, their player didn't panic and hit it for the goal." 

NEXT UP:

• The Broncos return home and host UC San Diego on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. PT. 

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