Stanford men beat Santa Clara

PALO ALTO, Calif. – Stanford University's men's soccer team claimed a share of the 2010 Bay Area Soccer Classic title by defeating Santa Clara University 4-1 Sunday night in front of 1,185 fans at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium.

Santa Clara (2-4-0) found themselves down by two goals in the first half for the second time in two games. Trailing 2-0 against California Thursday night, the Broncos rallied in the second half to nearly comeback and force overtime.

It appeared the same might be the case Sunday against Stanford, when Brandon Zimmerman scored on a free kick in minute 28 to make it a 2-1 game.

However, Stanford (2-4-0) – who was ranked No. 13 to begin the season – responded with continued offensive after the intermission to regain its two-goal advantage four minutes into the second half when Dersu Abolfathi stole a ball from an SCU defender and converted the breakaway.

Abolfathi had assisted in the game's first goal as Stanford scored just 12 minutes in, when he connected with Dominique Yahyavi. All-America candidate Bobby Warshaw added a second goal in the 18th minute and Yahyavi scored another late in the second half.

Stanford's four goals was the most it has scored since netting four against Washington back in 2008.

Santa Clara returns to action Friday, September 24 when the Broncos host San Jose State at 5:30 p.m. at Buck Shaw Stadium.