Women's Soccer - SMU vs. Rice (C-USA Tournament)

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU faces Rice at 2:30pm Wednesday in the first round of the C-USA tournament. SMU has a score to settle with the Owls, as Rice defeated SMU 1-0 at Westcott back in September on an 84th minute goal. In that game, SMU had four fantastic chances in the first half. The Rice keeper made some unbelievable saves, and one SMU shot destined for the back of the net was saved by a Rice defender.

This match is also a rematch of last year's first round C-USA tournament round, where SMU advanced 4-2 on penalties after playing to a 0-0 draw over 110 minutes. In that classic match, Courtney Webb stole the show by not only saving the first two Rice penalty kicks, but also by converting SMU's first penalty.

Last season's tournament match featured SMU as the 4 seed and Rice as the 5 seed since only six teams made the tournament. This season SMU enters as the 3 seed and Rice is the 6 seed since the tournament has been expanded to 8 teams.

SMU will look to continue their offensive splurge of the past two games. After going over 255 minutes without a goal late in the season, SMU has erupted for 4 goals over the past 123 minutes and look to be back in form.

Hopefully, the recent goal-scoring run will continue through the C-USA Tournament.

Go Ponies!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Forecast for Memphis Wednesday - High of 73 and sunny!

Go Ponies!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

UTEP beat Colorado College 2-1 in the first game today.

SMU really needs to focus and take care of Rice this afternoon. You don't get opportunities like this very often...

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Starting lineup:

Webb; Smith, Cox, Eidson, Hartweck; Clarke, Baum, Ambrose; Gaines, Redman, Lewis

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU well in control of possession through the first 15 minutes. One shot and 2 corners for SMU. Nothing for Rice yet.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Rice starting to get into the match. Just missed wide.

Scovill just entered the game!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

30 minutes in.

SMU up 4-3 in shots. Rice up 2-1 in shots on goal. SMU up 3-0 in corners.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU 1, Rice 0! Goal at 31:44.

Shelby Hartweck gets fouled just outside the side of the box, and Courtney Smith (who else) scores directly from the free kick.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

1-0 SMU HT.

Pretty nice half for SMU. Rice had a spell of some decent chances in the middle of the half but for the most part SMU has had control of possession.

It's definitely windy. Rice had the wind in the first half and a bunch of their long balls ended up rolling out for SMU goal kicks. Conversely, a couple of Webb's deliveries were a bit short and Rice was able to regain possession on a short field. SMU should definitely be in better shape with the wind in the second half.

Stats:

Shots: SMU 7, Rice 3
Shots on goal: SMU 2, Rice 2
Corners: SMU 3, Rice 1
Fouls: SMU 3, Rice 3

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU playing a great second half, but still 1-0. 28 minutes remaining.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

1-1. Rice scores off a corner at 69:29.

[SMUguy]

Come on, Mustangs!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Heading to OT at 1-1. SMU had six corners in the last few minutes of regulation but couldn't put one in.

Regulation stats:

Shots: SMU 13, Rice 8
Shots on goal: SMU 3, Rice 5
Corners: SMU 11, Rice 2
Fouls: SMU 7, Rice 5

SMU was totally on their heels for about 10 or 15 minutes after the Rice goal, but the last 5 minutes of regulation were almost all on the Rice end of the field.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

End OT1.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Rice wins 2-1 with a goal 1:00 into OT2.