M-Soccer: SMU Tied For Conference Lead

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

SMU won 2-0 at Connecticut today and the Ponies are now tied with UCF for the conference lead with one match remaining!

Current standings:

1. UCF (13, 4-1-1)
1. SMU (13, 4-1-1)
3. USF (11, 3-1-2)
3. Connecticut (11, 3-1-2)
5. Memphis (7, 2-3-1)
5. Temple (7, 2-3-1)
7. Tulsa (3, 1-5-0)
7. Cincinnati (3, 1-5-0)

Next week's games (all Friday):

Cincinnati @ UCF
Memphis @ USF
Temple @ SMU
Connecticut @ Tulsa

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU Moves Into A Tie For First In The AAC With 2-0 Win At UConn

STORRS, Conn. (SMU) – SMU improved to 4-1-1, recorded its sixth shutout of the season and moved into a tie for first in the American Athletic Conference with UCF after its 2-0 win at Connecticut on Sunday, handing UConn its first loss at home this season and snapping the Huskies' 10-game unbeaten streak.

Freshman Thomas Haney and junior Philip Ponder each posted their first goals of the season, and junior Grant Makela recorded his sixth shutout of the season.

"The men played very well this afternoon," said Head Coach Kevin Hudson. "You can learn a lot about a team when they face adversity and challenging situations. Today, we learned that this group of guys will fight to the end and have each other's backs through everything. They are in their best form of the year and keep getting better. We remain humble and focused, and we now turn our attention to the last game of the regular season on Friday against Temple."

Both teams had their chances on a soggy playing surface in the first half to get on the board, but after 45 minutes of play, the match remained scoreless.

However, SMU came out attacking in the second half as Haney put the Mustangs on the board first with a header from four yards out assisted by freshman Knut Ahlander in the 49th minute.

Ponder kept the Mustangs rolling with a goal of his own in the 62nd minute off of a free kick from junior Eddie Munjoma to give them a 2-0 advantage.

UConn had a few opportunities late in the second half to get on the board, but the Mustangs defense remained airtight. Makela recorded four saves to maintain the shutout and seal the victory.

The Mustangs host Temple in their final regular season game on Friday, Nov. 2 at Westcott Field at 7 p.m.

The full field of six teams – UCF, UConn, Memphis, USF, SMU and Temple – is now solidified for the 2018 American Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship. Tournament seeds and location will be determined next weekend with the final regular season contests. The Championship will be held Nov. 6, 8, and 10 at the top overall seed.

[LA_Mustang]

Congrats to the guys for another conference championship. Well done! Now win the AAC tourney and then do some damage in the NCAA College Cup.

[PonySnob]

Do we get a home game for the NCAA tournament?


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[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Do we get a home game for the NCAA tournament?

Probably, but we likely have to win the conference tournament to get in.

[Charleston Pony]

Good win in front of a nice crowd. Impressive that 8 guys played a full 90 minutes

[LA_Mustang]

Do we get a home game for the NCAA tournament?


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As DFFH mentioned we are not in the College Cup yet. I believe the Cup is similar to college bball now where the conference tourney winner gets the automatic bid. We get a first round bye and play the winner of Memphis and USF in the semis. UCF is ranked #9 in the county and got the 1st seed in the tourney since they beat us, but we both finished 5-1-1 as co-champs.

[mrydel]

Is there a soccer equivalent to the NIT?

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Ponies beat Memphis 2-1 in 2OT to advance to the conference final Saturday.

[RGV Pony]

Champs

[mtrout]

Our backup goalie got in ucf’s head by loud hand claps. It’s the little things. I think he scared them all for real.

[mustangxc]

Great to be back in the NCAA tournament!

[PonySnob]

Hope we get a home game