Box Score

Final Stats

SPOKANE, Wash. -- In the opening slate of the West Coast Conference schedule, the Saint Mary's men's soccer team played a hard-fought match for 90 minutes, en route to the 1-0 win over Gonzaga Saturday night.

The win moves Saint Mary's to an overall record of 4-4-3, and 1-0 in WCC play. Today's loss drops the Zags to 6-4-1, and 0-1 in conference action.

In a back-and-forth first half, the physical tone of the match was set early as the two squads combined for 14 fouls in the opening half. Jakub Svehlik nearly scored his second goal of the year in the 14th minute, but found his shot right to the Zags keeper. Striker Jake Rudel fired away a shot inside the box, but Ben Willis again made the save to preserve the 0-0 deadlock.

Nearly 12 minutes into the second half, the Gaels got on the board off a set piece goal from defender Tobias Clauss, for what was the game-winner.

Gonzaga made a late push in the last five minutes with a six yard shot and header, but the pair of key saves from senior Andrew Konstantino sealed the win for SMC.

THE GOALS

• Saint Mary's (1-0): At the 56:55 mark, Clauss struck a half volley inside the six yard box off a corner kick for his first career goal as a Gael.

QUICK NOTES

• Today marked the 36th all-time meeting between the Gaels and Zags.
• Gaels lead all-time series, 20-12-4.
• SMC has won the last five, and last 11 out of 13 meetings.
• Gaels have won their conference opener in three straight seasons for first time since 1992-94.
• Gonzaga ranked 58th in the latest RPI index.

UP NEXT: BAY AREA CLASH

• The Gaels will head to Santa Clara for their second WCC contest on Friday, Oct. 13.
• Kickoff versus SCU set for 7 p.m. PT.
• Gaels defeated the Broncos at Saint Mary's Stadium in 2016, 1-0.
• Season, single match and group tickets to attend Saint Mary's men's soccer matches are open for purchase. Tickets are available online here or by calling the SMC Athletic Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTX (4689).