Women's soccer blanks FAU, 3-0, faces Memphis in AAC final

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Shut Out FAU 3-0, Advance To AAC Championship

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (SMU) – The SMU women's soccer team shut out seventh-seeded Florida Atlantic, 3-0, on Thursday at the Premier Sports Campus to advance to Sunday's American Athletic Conference Championship match.

SMU improves to 11-5-1 on the season, with FAU finishing 8-7-5 on the year.

Senior captain Wayny Balata got SMU out to an early 2-0 lead, scoring two goals in the first nine minutes of play.

Balata's first goal in the 3rd minute came off a jumping effort to convert Mayu Inokawa's corner kick. The Montreal, Quebec, native scored once more for her third goal of the season in the 9th minute off a penalty kick.

Eliana Salama capped off SMU's semifinal victory with a goal in the 81st minute off an assist from Leah Chancey. Salama's second half goal marked her third of the season.

The third-seeded Mustangs are now 11-0-0 this season when scoring before its opponent.

SMU controlled pace throughout Thursday's semifinal match, outshooting FAU 13-7, including 6 shots on goal by Balata (3), Salama, Chancey and Kaya Lee. The Mustangs have now outshot opponents 122-61 in its last eight matches.

Samantha Estrada posted her fifth shutout of the season against the Owls, upping her season save total to 60 with three saves. Estrada currently ranks 10th all time in SMU career saves (175).

The Mustangs' backline, led by 90-minute efforts from Inokawa and All-AAC Second Team selection Peyton Annen, held FAU to only three shots on goal.

SMU has now shut out six opponents this season and allowed one or fewer goals in 29 of 36 matches played under Head Coach Nicole Nelson.

SMU will face the top seed in No. 8 Memphis in the AAC Championship final for the second straight season. Sunday's match will kick off at 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

[Terry Webster]

Should be a good match. Beat the Tigers!