VIDEO: Mads Westergren, Kevin Hudson after SMU tops Memphis

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SMU defender Mads Westergren met the media after he scored the first goal in the Mustangs' AAC-opening 2-1 victory over Memphis.


SMU men's soccer head coach Kevin Hudson met the media after the Mustangs kicked off their conference games with a 2-1 win over Memphis.

From SMUMustangs.com:

No. 16 SMU Wins in Conference Opener, Giving (RV) Memphis its First Loss

DALLAS (SMU) - No. 16 SMU has opened conference play with a 2-1 win over (RV) Memphis, handing the Tigers their first loss of the season.

In the 38th minute, Top Drawer Preseason All-American Mads Westergren headed the ball into the back of the net off of a corner kick taken by forward Bailey Sparks. By halftime, the Mustangs (6-1) were already outshooting the Tigers by 12-1 on the way to handing Memphis its first loss of the season.

The AAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year had already tallied one assist on the season en route to the third goal of his collegiate career.

"It was great service, just what we trained," Westergren said. "The ball went to the back post and I got on it and got the goal."

The second half saw another goal from the Mustangs, this time unassisted from Alex Salvo — the first of his career — in the 63rd minute.

SMU improved to 6-0 at Washburne Stadium this season and 14-1-1 at home since the start of last season. This is the best home start for the Mustangs since 2019 when they started 6-0.

Cole Johnson, a senior, started and played the full time in goal. The reigning College Soccer News National Team Member of the Week recorded four saves against Memphis (4-1-2) — in his fourth straight win, along with a team save from sophomore Fredrik Skilberg.

The only thing to slip past Johnson's line was a goal from Memphis's Lineker Rodrigues dos Santos in the 89th minute.

SMU's Hermann Trophy Watch List member Jelldrik Dallmann also recorded five shots on the evening, two of which were on target.

"Memphis is a well-coached, tough team," head coach Kevin Hudson said. "Being able to kill transition early, to then pick up a second ball and re-establish full position gives you a lot of belief."

SMU continues conference play with a road game at South Florida on Friday, Sept. 22 with kickoff slated for 4 p.m. The game will also be broadcast on ESPNU; the Mustangs will return to Washburne Stadium versus Grand Canyon on Sept. 27.