MU Falls to Santa Clara, 2-0

Sept. 12, 2010

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MILWAUKEE - The Marquette men's soccer team fell in its second game of the Marquette Invitational, 2-0, to Santa Clara. Valparaiso and Florida Gulf Coast played to a scoreless tie as the Crusaders clinched the top spot of the weekend event.

Both teams were scoreless until the 38 minute mark when Santa Clara (2-2) capitalized on a loose ball in the box. A direct kick by Brandon Zimmerman forced MU goalkeeper David Check to dive backwards to deflect the ball into traffic, where Eric Masch volleyed his first goal of the season into the back of the net.

The teams went into halftime with the Broncos leading, 1-0. Santa Clara outshot Marquette in the first half, 9-4, as the Golden Eagles managed two shots on goal to the Broncos' five.

Santa Clara tallied its second goal of the match when a Zimmerman penalty kick beat a diving Check at 68:00.

Marquette (1-2-1) had a number of chances in the second half as head coach Louis Bennett's squad put pressure on the West Coast Conference visitors, drawing nine corners and giving up just one.

In the 54th minute, a Calum Mallace direct kick from outside the box forced goalkeeper Kevin Klasila to punch out for a save. Minutes later, a corner kick by Marquette sophomore Ryan Robb hit the far post before bouncing back into play.

The host Golden Eagles finished third in the Marquette Invitational, behind champions Valparaiso and second-place finishers Santa Clara. FGCU finished in last place after falling to Marquette on Friday and tying Valpo Sunday afternoon.

Marquette next plays at Michigan State on Sept. 17 before hosting Michigan at Valley Fields at 1 p.m. on Sept. 19.

Marquette Invitational All-Tournament Team
S. Antonijevic (MVP) - Jr./MF/Valparaiso
Chadd Sult - Jr./D/Valparaiso
Kevin Miller - So./MF/Valparaiso
Ryan Schwarz - Sr./GK/Valparaiso
Erik Hurtado - So./F/Santa Clara
Brandon Zimmerman - Jr./MF/Santa Clara
Amilcar Herrera - Jr./MF/Marquette
Calum Mallace - Jr./MF/Marquette
Eric Pothast - Fr./MFMarquette
Josey Portillo - Jr./MF/FGCU
Matthew O'Shaughnessy - Sr./D/FGCU

Marquette Invitational Final Standings
1. Valparaiso - 4 points (W, 1-0 vs. Santa Clara; T, 0-0 vs. FGCU)
2. Santa Clara - 3 points, +1 goal differential (L, 0-1 vs. Valparaiso; W, 2-0 vs. Marquette)
3. Marquette - 3 points, -1 goal differential (W, 1-0 vs. FGCU; L, 0-2 vs. Santa Clara)
4. FGCU - 1 point (L, 0-1 vs. Marquette; T, 0-0 vs. Valparaiso)