AKRON, Ohio - Eduardo Lopez Perez scored the golden goal in the 102nd minute of double overtime to send Santa Clara men's soccer past Akron, 2-1, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on a cold, windy, Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
On the play, Oladayo Thomas got off a strong shot to force a diving save by Akron goalkeeper Will Meyer. Lopez Perez pounced on the rebound to tally his fourth goal in six games this season to put the Broncos through to the second round.
Santa Clara (12-1-4) will next face Kentucky in Lexington on Sunday at 4 p.