Men undefeated and ranked No. 2 in latest poll

By Chad Alves

"It's a good feeling now, but it doesn't mean a whole lot yet," sophomore goalkeeper Rusty Johnson said.

With wins over the San Diego State Aztecs on Thursday and the Sacramento State Hornets on Saturday, the Broncos improved their record and strengthened their national ranking. Previously ranked No. 6, Santa Clara's impressive and dominant start to the season has moved them up to No. 2 in all of college soccer. By outscoring their opponents 26-1 in route to their eight victories, the Broncos have solidified their place among the nation's elite.

"It's nice to be ranked there," Head Coach Mitch Murray said. "But the season is a long way from over."

Santa Clara hammered San Diego State Thursday night at Buck Shaw Stadium 4-1, although the Aztecs' goal was the first scored this year by a Broncos' opponent. Saturday night's contest against Sacramento State, unlike the majority of their previous seven games, proved to be a much tougher game for Santa Clara.

The Broncos battled through a scoreless first half with the Sacramento State team. Both teams had a couple of scoring opportunities, but neither found the back of the net. Santa Clara ended the stalemate quickly in the second half, however, as junior Brett Davis struck for the Broncos' only goal just 41 seconds after the intermission.

Davis fired a shot at the Hornets' goalkeeper from just inside the 18-yard box. The goalie looked to be in position to make the save, but the ball bounced through his hands to give Santa Clara the lead. It was all the Broncos needed, and they held on to their advantage to complete their seventh shutout of the season.