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MEN'S SOCCER DEFEATS SANTA CLARA 2-1; MOVES TO SECOND ROUND OF NCAA TOURNAMENT
11/18/2010
Chris Bettencourt (left) and Ernesto Carranza were all smiles after scoring against Santa Clara.
Sacramento State extended its amazing home unbeaten streak to 21 games (16-0-5) with the win and was victorious in the first-round of the NCAA tournament for the second straight season. Head coach Michael Linenberger's squad defeated Loyola Marymount 2-1 in overtime last season in the opening round.
With time ticking away in regulation in the 86th minute, Max Alvarez took a pass from Ernesto Carranza and fired a shot that was deflected hard into the air by Santa Clara keeper Kevin Klasila. While the ball hung in the air, Bettencourt rushed forward and used a header to blast the ball inside the near post for the eventual game-winning goal. Bettencourt has now scored six goals, and at least one in each of the last five games - all Hornet victories. After his goal against the Broncos, Bettencourt has 27 points (11 goals, 5 assists) on the season, the most ever for a single season in program history.
Ernesto Carranza also scored for the Hornets in the 56th minute, with a beautiful bending ball from the top left of the 18-yard box that snuck inside the far post and just below the crossbar.
Santa Clara (10-6-5) tied the game up quickly after Carranza's goal when Eric Masch gained control of a loose ball in the box after a long throw in and placed a shot low inside the near post from the top of the box.
Sacramento State took 17 shots, including 10 in the second half, compared to nine by Santa Clara and the Hornets also had the edge in corner kicks (6-3) while both teams made two saves each. Santa Clara was whistled for 14 fouls and 10 were called on Sacramento State.
The Hornets will travel to UCLA (14-4-1) for the second round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championships. The Bruins defeated Sacramento State in the second round of the NCAA tournament last season, 2-1, with a goal in the 80th minute that proved to be the game-winner.
Kick-off on Sunday is set for 5 p.m. on Sunday at Drake Stadium. Tickets will be $10 for adults and $8 for students and youth.
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