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USF Blanks Santa Clara 2-0; Collects Program Victory No. 750
Oct. 9, 2009
(San Francisco) - After a rugged opening weekend, USF men's soccer roared back with a 2-0 triumph against ancient Bay Area rival Santa Clara Friday night in West Coast Conference action at Negoesco Stadium. The Dons (4-5-1, 1-2-0 WCC) recorded program victory No. 750 in the process at the expense of the Broncos (3-6-2, 1-2-0 WCC).
Junior forward Bryan Burke scored the game-winner on a breakaway in the 26th minute off a brilliant feed from Jonathan Levi. It was the second tally of the year and the first decisive goal of 2009 for Burke, who was relentless up top for the Dons.
Junior defender Justin Warren added an insurance goal in the 72nd minute - his second of the year - off a double assist from Levi and senior All-American Conor Chinn. It was the second two-assist match of the season for Levi, who also accomplished the feat against UMKC in the season opener September 1.
San Francisco dominated the match offensively and held a 14-5 shot advantage and outshot the Broncos 11-1 after the intermission. USF also held an 8-4 edge in corner kicks. Levi and Warren each had a match-high three shots, while Burke, Chinn and senior defender Justin Kendro each had a pair. Jalil Anibaba fired two shots for the Broncos, one on frame.
"We sensed in practice all week that the team was very disappointed and upset with their performance in Los Angeles, especially the way we let it slip away against LMU," USF head coach Erik Visser said. "I think they're tired of losing. They made up their minds playing in front of the home crowd against our local rival Santa Clara to just play hard, play without any hesitation, defend well and just put it all out there. We sensed from the first minute on that this team was ready to play."
Freshman goalkeeper Brendan Roslund (3-3-0) earned the victory for the Dons and posted his second shutout of the season, while recording a pair of saves. Larry Jackson suffered the loss for Santa Clara and made five saves on the night.
USF returns to WCC action when it travels across the Bay Bridge to take on Saint Mary's Sunday, October 11 in Moraga. Match time against the Gaels is set for 2:00 PM.
PLEASE NOTE: With the win USF becomes just the second Division I program to record 750 program victories (UCLA, 862). Dons record is now 750-284-93.
