Women's Soccer - SMU vs. UTSA

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Nothing too exciting from the Roadrunners - although the fact they took No. 17 Cal-Irvine to the limit is impressive.

http://www.goutsa.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205247808&DB_OEM_ID=13100

SAN ANTONIO — UTSA will continue its season-opening stretch of six consecutive road matches this weekend with contests at SMU and Baylor. The Roadrunners will face the Mustangs at 6:30 p.m. on Friday before traveling to Waco two days later for a 1 p.m. match with the Bears.

UTSA (0-2) is coming off a pair of losses at last weekend's Aggieland Invitational in College Station. The Roadrunners pushed No. 17 UC Irvine in Friday's season opener but fell on a goal in the 88th minute. The Birds then dropped a 4-0 decision against Fresno State last Sunday. Freshman Liv Nyhegn registered UTSA’s only goal of the weekend on a free kick against the Anteaters.

Picked to finish fifth in Conference USA, SMU (1-1) returns nine starters from last year’s squad that went 11-7-4 overall. The Mustangs opened the season with a 2-1 loss at Arkansas before defeating Stephen F. Austin by the same score on Monday. Rikki Clarke, Mallory Baum and Amelia Ambrose each have found the back of the net in the season's first two contests.

Baylor (1-0-1) opened its season with a 3-0 victory against Sam Houston State before playing to a 1-1 tie against former Big 12 rival Nebraska last Sunday. The Bears return eight starters from last year’s squad and they were picked to finish seventh in the conference. Four different players have scored, while goalie Courtney Seelhorst has allowed just one goal in 200 minutes this season.

UTSA will be looking to notch its first wins against the Mustangs and Bears.

SMU leads the all-time series 3-0, including a 4-2 win in the last meeting on Sept. 18, 2009.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

In other interesting related results, Arkansas followed up their 2-1 win over SMU with a 4-1 loss at Kansas. SFA plays Tulsa Friday night.

It is good to know the team thinks they played poorly against SFA - hopefully we will bounce back and take care of business against UTSA. There isn't another home match until September 18 so it would be great for the team to give the home fans a nice performance.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU came through with a nice comfortable 2-0 home win over UTSA. The Mustangs played with so much more energy than they did Monday, and looked focused tonight in dominating the Roadrunners for the full 90 minutes. SMU outshot UTSA 16-4 on the night.

The only negative is the continued trouble actually putting balls in the back of the net, but SMU was successful creating a ton of chances again tonight, so hopefully they will start going in more consistently soon. Just about everybody was guilty to some degree - the biggest miss probably Olivia Elliott missing a sitter from around seven yards after a fantastic centering pass from Shelby Redman.

SMU finally broke through late in the first when Shelby Hartweck sent a nice centering pass to Briana Gaines, who sent a nice low hard shot to the far left post. The UTSA keeper was able to get a glove on it but Kenzie Scovill was right there to put the loose ball in the net. SMU took the 1-0 lead to halftime.

The Mustangs left little doubt in the final result by scoring an early goal in the second. Mallory Baum sent a nice long ball down the left side, which Amanda Burgardt was able to get to. Baum continued her run into the 18, Burgardt found her and Baum sent a sweet ball into the far upper corner on her first touch. Stunning.

In three matches that is now two goals for Baum.

Courtney Webb was able to secure her first clean sheet of the season as well. UTSA hardly tested the SMU keeper though, with their only shot on net early in the first half from fifty yards out on a free kick. SMU's defense consistently broke up any attack UTSA could muster. It was really a nice solid effort from Webb and the back four all evening.

Points of interest:

- Kenzie Scovill was able to return after leaving the game Monday in the first half. Obviously her return was a success with a goal!

- Rachael Larson played the majority of minutes at right back, freeing Shelby Hartweck to return to the rotation at forward. Hartweck was able to add an assist from the forward position as well. Hartweck was still the first choice fill-in at right back.

- The comfortable result allowed Erwin to rest Rikki Clarke, Mallory Baum, Courtney Smith, and Katherine Cox for some minutes in the second half - which is fantastic with a big match coming up Sunday night at Oklahoma.

- Katie Bass and Allegra Nigh each made their first appearance of the season tonight. Shannon Canty and Lauren White were also able to come on at the end for a couple of minutes.

Overall a very satisfying performance by the Mustangs! Nice crowd as well! Go Ponies!

[goldenstang]

Victory!!!!!!!

[Mustangsabu]

Good news indeed. Sorry to miss it.