SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Jeff Scott''s goal in the 40th minute gave Santa Clara a 1-0 win over the Sacramento State men''s soccer team Thursday afternoon at Hornet Soccer Field. The Hornets are now 5-8-4 overall while the Broncos raised their record to 8-6-1. The non-conference match was highly influenced by gusty 30-40 m.p.h. winds from the south end of the field and rain in the final minutes of the contest. Both teams could not capitalize on opportunities to score until Scott found a loose ball and connected for the contest''s lone goal. The play was set up when a Hornet defender and Jamil Walker tangled for the ball in front of the Hornet goal. The ball was tipped away by the defender to clear when Scott controlled the ball and made two touches before placing a shot in the bottom left corner of the goal.
Sacramento State''s best opportunity to score came midway through the second period when junior forward David Fraser received a pass on the left side of the Bronco goal. Fraser crossed the pass to sophomore Ricky Rodriguez for the put in but the ball sailed passed and Santa Clara was able to clear.
Freshman goalkeeper Matt McDougall finished the contest with a game-high six saves while the Broncos'' Kent Harkness recorded his first shutout of the season with three saves.
Sacramento State will compete in their final MPSF contest against San Jose State on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1 p.m. Both teams have qualified for MPSF Tournament play on Nov. 14-17 in New Mexico but the match will have a major impact on the postseason seedings.
