SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Sacramento State men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to the Santa Clara Broncos on Sunday, September 13 at Buck Shaw Stadium.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 3-1-1, while the Broncos improved to 2-2-0.
Playing in wet conditions with constant rain falling throughout the match, Sacramento State and Santa Clara battled in a fairly even contest on the pitch and the stat sheet. Both teams posted eight shots on the match, with each club putting three on frame.
In the first 45 minutes of play, Sacramento State held a slight edge in ball control, and possessed several chances to put the ball into the back of the net. Freshman David Norton had the matches first shot on goal in the 15th minute, but the Hornets best two chances would come later in the half.
In the 38th minute, Sacramento State utilized a short corner kick, as junior Ernesto Carranza found freshman Max Alvarez, who crossed the ball to the far post. The pass found the head of junior Diego Marroquin, who headed the ball straight down into the Buck Shaw Stadium turf. The bounding ball just barely grazed over the crossbar, keeping the game scoreless.
Nearing the end of the half, Sacramento State was awarded a direct free kick from 25 yards out, and Alvarez took a crack toward the far post that was saved by Bronco 'keeper Larry Jackson.
In the second half the Broncos scored what would be the game-winner in the 77th minute, as Erik Hurtado dribbled through two defenders and slid a ball past Hornet senior goalkeeper Ryan Kenny to give Santa Clara a 1-0 lead.
Despite being a man down after Marroquin was sent off with a red card in the 79th minute, the Hornets had an opportunity to tie it late. In the 85th minute, Alvarez went 1v1 with the Santa Clara goalie Jackson, and narrowly missed chipping him to tie it up at 1-1.
Alvarez was the only Hornet to record more than one shot, with Carranza, Norton, Marroquin, junior Fernando Cabadas and sophomores Adam Bettencourt and Matthew Tellez each posting one shot apiece. Kenny posted two saves in goal for the Hornets.
Sacramento State returns to action on Friday, September 18 as they travel to San Luis Obispo, Calif. to take on Cal Poly. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Sacramento State men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to the Santa Clara Broncos on Sunday, September 13 at Buck Shaw Stadium.
