MSOC | No. 8 Gaels Open Conference Play with Win over Broncos

No. 8 Saint Mary's advanced past Santa Clara on the road with help from a penalty kick late in the second half.

Box Score SANTA CLARA, Calif. — No. 8 Saint Mary's secured a road win in their West Coast Conference action opener on Saturday with a gritty 2-1 decision. The Gaels improved to 10-1 on the year and 28-1-2 over their past 31 matches dating back to 2017.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Joseph Restani continued his scalding hot scoring streak by getting the Gaels on the board in the 29th minute. Off a Filippo Zattarin corner kick, Valentin Sponer got a header on goal and Restani tapped in the rebound from just a few feet out to give SMC the lead.

The senior Restani has now scored in the team's last four matches and five of their past six. His eight goals this season ranks second on the team and third in the WCC.

Anders Engebretsen scored the game-winning goal for the Gaels in the 78th minute off a penalty kick. The senior forward is now a perfect 5-for-5 on PK attempts this season and remains atop the conference goal scorer leaderboard with 10 tallies.

Remi Prieur had a big game in goal with six saves on 11 SCU shot attempts. The only goal scored by the Broncos was on a ball that deflected off a crowd in front of Prieur and redirected up high in the 65th minute.

Saint Mary's outshot Santa Clara 16-11 in the contest and took six corners compared to only two for SCU. Both teams committed 19 fouls in the highly physical match.

THOUGHTS FROM ADAM COOPER

"Winning games in conference is very difficult, especially on the road. We did well to earn this win tonight. There are plenty of games to go, of course, but we'll take these three points and get ready for the next one."

UP NEXT: SAN DIEGO

The Gaels return to Saint Mary's Stadium next week to face off with a 9-1-1 San Diego team on Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets for the match can be purchased by clicking here or calling the Ticket Office at (925) 631-4689.

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