Santa Clara Broncos
Overall Rank: #43
Conference Rank: #1 West Coast Conference
Santa Clara Team Page
Following a very slow start, Santa Clara had a very good 2012 campaign. After a 5-3 loss to San Jose State, their fourth loss in the opening five games, Santa Clara pulled it together. Over the next 13 games they allowed just eight goals. The Broncos lost only two more contests in that stretch and both came in overtime. In October and November Santa Clara was playing like an NCAA Tournament team, but that slow start kept them on the wrong side of the bubble.
2012 Record: 11-6-2, 8-2-2
2012 Postseason: None
Coach: Cameron Rast
Strengths:
The Broncos win games with defense and this season will be no different. Goalie Larry Jackson, a three year starter, is gone, but SCU will reload. Kendall McIntosh spent his summer watching the United State U-20 team. He never saw any game action being stuck behind Southampton’s Cody Cropper, but he is a superb talent who should be in for a huge season at Santa Clara. McIntosh has an experienced back line to work with. Mark Daus and Phillip Muscarella will both be four year starters and Matt Escobar is back in the starting lineup after a very promising freshman campaign. Daus and Muscarella are extremely reliable and this defense will keep the Broncos close in just about every game.
Weaknesses:
The question then becomes whether or not they can score enough to string together some victories. Erik Hurtado has been Santa Clara’s go-to-scorer for four years and replacing him will be terribly difficult. Prior to being selected with the fifth overall pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Hurtado spent his senior season totaling 15 goals and 7 assists for the Broncos. All eyes now turn to seniors Carlos Montes and Keigo Kameya. They both have plenty of experience, yet neither has ever been heavily relied upon to be an efficient and effective finisher. That changes now. Finding production from younger players like Jared Hegardt or one of the freshmen could provide a more dynamic scoring punch that this group could lack otherwise. Yet, the midfield will get involved in the scoring too. Ryan Masch had a superb freshman campaign. He is the playmaker and how effectively he can pull the strings could go a long way in determining how productive the Santa Clara offense will be in 2013.
Final Projection:
Santa Clara has some big names to replace, yet Coach Cameron Rost has talent ready to step up. Sophomores like Masch and fellow midfielder Max Ornstill now have an important year of experience under their belt and are now ready and capable of stepping up and playing a much bigger role. If the offense can find some way of replacing Hurtado, Santa Clara will be the favorite heading in to West Coast Conference play. But that may be asking a little too much. Even without an offensive star, Masch will be able to get everybody up top involved and the defense will do the rest.
Projected Postseason: NCAA
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Ryan Masch, Sophomore, 5
Assists: Carlos Montes, Senior, 3
Shots: Ryan Masch, Sophomore, 29
Saves: Kendall McIntosh, Sophomore, 3
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