Women's soccer falls in AAC final

[PonyPride]

Freshman Truth Byars scores SMU's goal.
Mustangs outshoot No. 8 Tigers, 12-7, but fall to 11-6-1.

[Charleston Pony]

Put some pressure on Memphis at the end and made it exciting

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Fall 2-1 To No. 8 Memphis In AAC Final

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (SMU) – The SMU women's soccer team fell 2-1 to top seed in No. 8 Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship final on Sunday at the Premier Sports Campus.

"I am really proud of this team and staff," said Head Coach Nicole Nelson. "The growth throughout the year has been tremendous due to the standards they live every day. They are so great to coach and their performance mindset is exceptional. We are playing good, confident soccer. Our body of work over the season is quality. Hopefully the committee agrees and our season is extended."

The Mustangs, who came into Sunday's match on a four-match win-streak, move to 11-6-1 on the season. Memphis improves to 18-1-0.

Freshman Truth Byars scored her first career goal in the 79th minute, cutting Memphis's lead to one. With the goal, Byars became the fourth Mustang to score in this season's AAC Championship.

Ashley Henderson gave Memphis the lead in the 40th minute. Memphis's Mya Jones later scored in the 72nd minute to create a 2-0 lead for the Tigers.

SMU went on double Memphis in shots (12-6) on the afternoon. All-AAC and AAC Co-Rookie of the Year Nyah Rose, senior captain Wayny Balata and Byars all added two shots on goal for the Mustangs.

Rose gave the Mustangs an opportunity to score early, striking and forcing Memphis's Kaylie Bierman to deflect the ball off the right post in the seventh minute.

SMU has now outshot its last nine opponents, totaling 134 shots in that stretch.

Four Mustangs received All-Tournament Team selections following Sunday's AAC Championship final. Rose and Balata, who both tallied two goals throughout the tournament, were honored. Sophomore Eliana Salama – a goal scorer in SMU's semifinal win over FAU – also was honored. Fellow sophomore Peyton Annen rounded out SMU's honorees after helping lead the Mustangs' backline to only allowing three goals throughout the tournament.

Most Outstanding Offensive Player
Mya Jones, F/M, Memphis

Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Sarah Hagg, D, Memphis

All-Tournament Team
Macey Bader, F, Charlotte
Molly Setsma, M, Florida Atlantic
Kaylie Bierman, GK, Memphis
Sarah Hagg, D, Memphis
Mya Jones, F/M, Memphis
Momo Nakao, M, Memphis
Delaney Tellex, F/M, Memphis
Peyton Annen, D, SMU
Wayny Balata, M, SMU
Nyah Rose, F, SMU
Eliana Salama, M, SMU

[Terry Webster]

Is there a chance they get a call from the ncaa about the tourney?

[Mustangs_Maroons]

I happened to see the game showing on TV and was curious to watch the team play. Honestly, SMU played a better 1st half of soccer. I think Memphis’ first goal should not have counted as the SMU player was fouled, but what can you expect from officiating at this level. SMU also had a shot that went off the goalkeeper into the post, quite unlucky. I think SMU had enough to win, it’s a shame they lost.

[EastStang]

We didn't get a bid. Telling was that Memphis is a 6 seed.

[ClassOf81]

AAC must not have a good rep in women's soccer. Memphis was in the top 10 for much of the year and gets a 6 seed?
Things are about to get a whole lot tougher in the ACC, too.