SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Senior captain Will Wiersdorf scored the equalizer in the Santa Clara men's soccer 1-all draw against Denver on Saturday night at Stevens Stadium. For Denver, Luke Schultz tallied a goal as the Pioneers (4-7-4, 3-1-3 WCC) remained in the top four of the West Coast Conference standings in hopes of qualifying for the inaugural WCC Tournament with one more game to play. Unfortunately for Santa Clara (4-8-4, 1-3-4 WCC), they were mathematically eliminated after Saturday's result as it was their final game of the season. Prior to the game, four Santa Clara seniors - Wiersdorf, Niv Berkovitz, Itamar Efrat and Tyler Tipton - were recognized and each player saw action in their last game as a Bronco.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Denver scored in the 41st minute on Schultz's goal off assists from Tyler Schommer and Jon Fritcher before Santa Clara answered in the 48th minute when Wiersdorf scored off an Ezana Alemayehu assist.
- Santa Clara generated the first shot of the match through Alemayehu in the 12th minute, while Denver followed with a corner kick and a Will King shot in the 16th minute.
- The score stayed 0-0 through a stretch with five fouls from the 19th to 27th minutes, and Wiersdorf's attempt was saved by Alex Hohl in the 33rd minute.
- Denver moved ahead 1-0 just before the half on Schultz's second goal of the season while Moises Almontes had a shot for the Broncos in the 42nd minute as Denver held 1-0 lead at halftime.
- SCU tied the match 1-1, just three minutes into the second half when Wiersdorf blasted a right footed shot from about 23 yards out beating Alex Hohl to the far post. It was his third tally of the season.
- Denver created a corner and three shots between the 67th and 69th minutes, but the match remained tied through a physical stretch that included an Alen Begovic yellow card in the 70th minute.
- Diego Jalleau led the Broncos' late push with four shots after the 76th minute, including two saved by Hohl, as the match finished tied 1-1.
NOTABLE NUMBERS / GAME NOTES:
- It was the first meeting between the two schools.
- The Broncos outshot the Pioneers 11-7 and put four shots on goal while limiting Denver to one shot on goal.
- Jalleau led SCU with five shots, including two on goal, while Wiersdorf put both of his shots on frame and Alemayehu added two shots.
- Schultz led Denver with three shots including the lone shot on frame.
HIGHLIGHTS:
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