VIDEO: Hudson, Cuello, Ruiz after men's soccer beats Akron
Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2016 2:37 amFrom SMUMustangs.com:
Mustangs Beat No. 16 Akron, 4-3, In Overtime Victory Monday Night
Sept. 19, 2016
DALLAS (SMU) — The SMU men's soccer team beat No. 16 Akron, 4-3, in overtime Monday night at Westcott Field. Sophomore midfielder Emil Cuelloscored the winning goal in the 98th minute of the match. The Mustangs improved to 3-5-0 this season, while the Zips dropped to 5-3-0.
After over an hour of lightning delays, the Mustangs and the Zips finally kicked off in a rematch of last year's NCAA Sweet 16 competition. Akron found the back of the net early in the game on Adam Najem's shot from 20 yards out in the 19th minute. Najem would score again a minute later on a penalty kick.
SMU forward Garrett McLaughlin retaliated in the 21st minute, netting a goal from eight yards out with assists from forward Mauro Cichero and defender Eddie Munjoma. The freshman recorded his second career goal, while Cichero and Munjoma's each received their first assist of the season.
Munjoma would find two more teammates later in the night, giving him his first three assists this the season.
Roughly 25 minutes into play, Akron's Ezana Kahsay split two defenders chasing a loose ball on the offensive end of the field. He barely reached the ball before Nelson, tapping it in the net. However, the goal was waved as Kahsay was called offside. Nelson would leave the game due to injury and would not return to the match.
SMU redshirt senior Nick Ruiz entered the game in the 25th minute and stayed in net for the rest of the game. Ruiz recorded five saves in his 73 minutes of play, setting a personal record for saves per game.
In the 50th minute, Munjoma perfectly placed a cross roughly five yards in front of the goal. Cichero dove to the ground heading the ball to the back of the net, tying the match at 2-2. Cichero now ties Brenden Lee in most goals scored for the Mustangs with three apiece.
Twenty minutes later Akron's Goncalo Soares snuck one past Ruiz on a cross from the left side, giving Akron the 3-2 lead.
But Cuello would have the last say as he netted a rocket of a shot to the back of the net in the 79th minute off a corner kick by Bryce Clark, equalizing the game, 3-3, and closing out regulation play.
In the 98th minute (in the first overtime period), Cuello punched in his second goal of the night off Munjoma's third assist. Cuello sailed the game-winning goal past Akron goalkeeper Ben Lundt for the Mustangs' 4-3 win.
The Mustangs host Tulsa Saturday Sept., 24 at 7 p.m. CT.