University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA
Santa Clara
Tsakiris Delivers Top-Ranked Men's Soccer Squad To Dramatic Win Over Santa Clara
September 28, 2000 | Men's Soccer
Sept. 28, 2000
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Bruin senior Shaun Tsakiris scored on a penalty kick at the 100:26 mark of overtime to lead No. 1 ranked UCLA to a dramatic 1-0 win over Santa Clara in from of 1,448 fans at Buck Shaw Stadium.
The two teams battled to a scoreless tie to end the 90:00 regulation highlighted by back-to-back point-blank saves in the final 10:00 by Bronco junior goalkeeper Rusty Johnson. Johnson recorded six saves in the match, including three in the final minutes of regulation.
In overtime, Tsakiris, from nearby Saratoga, was awarded a penalty kick after a foul in the box on McKinley Tennyson Jr. with the clock reading 4:34 left in the overtime period. Tsakiris' shot advanced just past an outstretched Johnson into the upper right corner of the goal to give UCLA the victory with his fourth goal of the year. Tsakiris had entered the game as a substitute after nursing a back injury suffered in a game Sept. 21.
"UCLA has incredible talent and they are a great team," said Mitch Murray. "It was a challenge for our guys to step-up and see where we were as a team. It was a hard-fought game. We had some good chances, and that is what you look for. These are really the games you grow from. It obviously hurts to lose this game, especially on a penalty kick."
UCLA freshman goalkeeper DJ Countess earned his second consecutive solo shutout and made four saves, including one in the overtime period.
The Bruins improve their record to a perfect 7-0-0, while Santa Clara falls to 5-3-0. UCLA returns home to face Saint Mary's in a 2:00 pm matchup Sunday, Oct. 1 at Frank W. Marshall Field.
