Box Score IRVINE, Calif. --- UCI and Santa Clara remained deadlocked until the 88th minute as the Broncos spoiled the home team's day with a 2-1 defeat Sunday afternoon at Anteater Stadium.
Edson Cardona was the thorn in the 'Eaters' side scoring twice on the afternoon and lifting the Broncos. Cardona found a loose ball in the box in the final minutes and finished inside the right post to give Santa Clara (3-4-0) the lead for good.
Cardona dampened spirits earlier in the match as well with a shot from the top of the box in the 42nd minute to send the teams into the half even.
Lester Hayes III opened up the scoring in the 21st minute. Enrique Cardenas did a good job to create some space and find Bryan Breslin coming down the outside edge. Breslin sent a perfect cross into the box that Hayes III ran under and headed past Kendall McIntosh for the goal.
UCI (4-2-2) peppered McIntosh during the match making him stop four shots. Hayes III and Cardenas each had chances to get UCI on the board a second time during the match. Hayes III slipped a shot to the keeper's right as he approached, but the shot rolled just right.
Cardenas had a few opportunities and none bigger than a blast in the second half that whipped just high of the frame. Freshman Andy Mendoza also had a brief 1v1 opportunity that McIntosh came out to meet and put an end to before any damage was done.
Michael Breslin was held without a save for the second straight match. He and the defense have allowed a conference-low 17 shots on goal all season.
UCI will regroup in its final non-conference match on Fri. Sept. 27 with a trip to Cal State Bakersfield to take on the Roadrunners.
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