SPOKANE, Wash.—Having finally completed the long and grueling non-conference slate, the Gonzaga University men's soccer team will begin a new season in a way this weekend as they begin the West Coast Conference season in full with matches at Santa Clara and San Francisco.
"Conference play always adds another dimension: the automatic NCAA Tournament appearance for the winner," said Gonzaga men's soccer head coach Einar Thorarinsson. "The guys are ready for conference season."
The Zags come into WCC action with a 2-9 record, creating numerous scoring opportunities over the last four matches. The offense has created 65 shots—nearly half the squad's yearly total—during that stretch, but only four of those shots have gone in, all of which came in a wild 4-3 come-from-behind victory at Pacific Oct. 3. Also, many of the Zags' shots have been on frame as opposing keepers have made 22 saves and allowed those four goals over the last three weeks, again nearly half of GU's season totals.
Conner Bevans and Clark Phillips have led the charge for the Zags by taking 11 and 10 shots, respectively, during that stretch. They also each found the scoresheet once at Pacific. Also, Nate Pacheco has both a goal and an assist during the stretch and has helped create numerous other chances.
Gonzaga's defense has also started to gel over the last few games. The Zags allowed just one goal in three of the last four matches and have held opponents to 9.8 shots a game, just about five shots less than season average for a Zag opponent. Jalen Crisler has been a significant part of that defensive effort as the redshirt freshman has played every single minute of those four matches in a defensive role for the Zags.
The Zags begin conference play Friday, Oct. 17, with a 7:00 p.m. contest at Santa Clara. The Broncos are 4-4-3 on the season, most recently tying San Francisco 1-1 last Sunday. They've scored 10 goals as a team so far, with four players each contributing two goals apiece. Carlos Delgadillo is the team's points leader by virtue of assisting three goals and knocking in two himself. In the net, Kendall McIntosh has played every minute for SCU, allowing 12 goals while making 42 saves for a 77.8 save percentage.
After their Friday showdown at Santa Clara, the Zags will make the short trip up Highway 101 to San Francisco for a Sunday, Oct. 19, showdown against the University of San Francisco. That match will begin at 2:30 p.m. The Dons are 6-3-2 on the year and are coming off that 1-1 draw with Santa Clara. Miguel Aguilar leads the team with four goals while both Sixto Porras and Joshua Smith have each assisted four goals as well. Keeper Chase Hauser has spent the vast majority of the season manning the Dons' net, allowing 15 goals and making 47 saves for a 75.8 save percentage.
The match at Santa Clara will be streamed live here while the San Francisco contest will be streamed on theW.tv. Links to live stats are available on Gonzaga men's soccer's schedule page at www.GoZags.com.
