The clash between Santa Clara men’s soccer (4-6-3, 1-1-3 WCC) and Saint Mary’s College (2-8-5, 0-3-2 WCC) ended in a scoreless tie, 0-0, this past Saturday, Oct. 17 at Stevens Stadium. Although neither team scored, lots of physical play and many attempts on goal kept the match interesting for the crowd.
Santa Clara University hosted Noches de Broncos at the match, a celebration of Latinx community and culture in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The scoreboard highlighted University Latinx staff, organizations, resources and events during warm-ups.
The action started slowly after kickoff, with the Broncos’ first scoring chance coming at 12 minutes into the game as Anton Carell ’30 took a shot on goal that bounced off the goalpost. Soon after, Yu Yokokawa ’28 received a red card for a foul just outside the box that denied the Gaels a scoring opportunity. The penalty forced the Broncos to play nearly 75 minutes with only ten players on the field.
In the 17th minute, Saint Mary’s Luke Schaefer attempted to make his fifth goal of the season with a shot in the bottom left corner, but the shot was saved by Bronco goalkeeper Jackson Ozburn ’27.
The penalties kept coming, as yellow cards were awarded to Broncos’ Diego Jalleau ’30 in the 29th minute and Saint Mary’s Cameron Kobey in the 31st minute, each for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Attacking early in the second half, Saint Mary’s Cyrus Shafie attempted a shot in the bottom left and Alex Bandrauk in the bottom center in the 47th minute; both were saved by Ozburn. Soon after, two shots were launched by Brett Seemuller and one by Kobey, both blocked by the Broncos.
A burst of offensive activity from the Gaels occurred between the 45th and 60th minutes as eleven total shots were attempted—all unsuccessful.
The Broncos attempted to push back on the offense, with two shots from Alejandro Arenas ’29 in the 60th minute closely followed by attempts by Jona Starek ’28 and Moises Almontes ’29.
Two more yellow cards were awarded in the second half to Saint Mary’s players. One to Rafael Suarez in minute 76, and the other to Max Owusu-Antwi in minute 82.
Each team made a final press to get on the scoreboard in the last ten minutes of the game, but came up short.
In total, the Gaels led the board 16-15 in shot attempts, 9-5 in shots on target, 5-1 in yellow cards, as well as 10-6 in corner kicks, but could not come away with the win. Ozburn led the game in saves, 8-5, completing his fourth shutout of the season.
The scoreless tie with the Saint Mary’s Gaels brought the Broncos to No. 6 in the WCC standings. Santa Clara men’s soccer will next travel to play the San Diego Toreros away on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m.