NORTHRIDGE, Calif. – CSUN scored a pair of goals in the opening 45 minutes and held onto to a 2-1 win over Santa Clara men's soccer in the nonconference finale on Sunday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- CSUN (2-2-3) scored in the 13th and 26th minute on goals by Michael Blevins and Jake Shaked to go out front 2-0 in the first 45.
- Santa Clara (3-4-1) answered in the opening minute of the second half when Will Wiersdorf put a dribbling clinic, penetrating inside the box before finishing with a goal to cut the Broncos deficit in half, 2-1.
- Wiersdorf, who returned to action after missing the last five games due to an injury, had a golden opportunity to equalize with a penalty kick chance in the 64th minute but Matadors goalkeeper Merrick Cook made the save to preserve the lead. It was one of four saves on the day for Cook.
- The Broncos nearly pulled another final second miracle when Jack Civitts' shot was saved by a CSUN defender at the goal line with five ticks remaining in the match.
NOTABLE NUMBERS / GAME NOTES:
- The series between the two schools is now tied 5-5.
- Wiersdorf had a game-high three shots with two on frame. Overall, the Broncos had 11 shots putting six on target compared to nine and three for the Matadors.
- The Broncos went 1-3 against Big West schools in the nonconference slate, winning against UC San Diego but falling to UC Davis, Sacramento State and CSUN.
HIGHLIGHTS:
POST-GAME COMMENTS:
Head Coach Cam Rast on the first half goals:
"We talk about how our rotation is supposed to work. CSUN whipped the ball to the far post on both occasions and when they see the ball, they gravitate towards it. The issue becomes when you leave guys free and we didn't do a good job contesting it. Unfortunately we played really poorly in the first half."
Rast on the second half:
"We, as a coaching staff, challenged them at the half and the response was good. We were within one goal at the start of the half but then missed the penalty to tie the game. We also had three or four other good chances. The team's response was right but I don't want them to be ok with that. We tried to beat home the message after the match that you stepped up but we didn't get it done. We didn't take care of business."
Rast on getting Wiersdorf back:
"Will gives us energy, quickness and he causes alot of issues for the opponent. Overall, it just shows that we're going to be a different team with him."
Rast on the upcoming week:
"We had a heavy stretch playing four games in 12 days and the sharpness comes into question when your legs are heavy playing against CSUN who hadn't played a match in a week. But with conference season starting out on Saturday, that will all even out. We have got to have good week and sharpen things out."
NEXT UP:
- Santa Clara opens West Coast Conference play hosting league newcomer Oregon State on Saturday at 7 p.m.
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