Women's soccer edged at No. 25 Virginia, 2-1

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Mustangs Drop Road Match To No. 25 Virginia

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (SMU) — The SMU women's soccer program fought hard against No. 25 Virginia but fell 2-1 on the road Sunday inside Klockner Stadium.

Playing to their strength, the Mustangs brought their physicality onto the pitch and grabbed the lead 15 minutes into the match. However, two second-half goals from Virginia, including one in the final 10 minutes, was the deciding factor.

Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree Nyah Rose scored the first goal of the match, heading a ball off the Virginia goalkeeper and into the back of the net off a feed from Sophie King. Rose scored her 16th career goal and her fifth this season, three of which have occurred during conference action.

Goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde finished the match with six saves on 19 shots faced (10 on goal). It marked the seventh time this season that she has recorded five or more saves in a single match.

The Mustangs ended the match with 12 shots (4 on goal), marking the first time in the past three matches the team has recorded double-digit shots.

SMU is now 6-7-2 (2-4-2 ACC) this season, while the Cavaliers improved to 10-4-0 (3-4-0 ACC) on the year.

// HOW IT HAPPENED
SMU set the tone of the match early, playing physically right from the first kick.

The Mustang's defensive pressure turned into offensive production and Sophie King sent a cross into the box and found a crashing Nyah Rose , who headed a ball off Virginia's goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 15th minute.

SMU controlled much of the game flow over the first 30 minutes of action as the team continued to generate scoring opportunities.

Virginia went on the attack over the final 15 minutes of the first but the SMU back line and Cota-Yarde stood tall, denying the Cavaliers as SMU had five saves in the period. The Mustangs headed to half, holding a 1-0 lead.

Virginia equalized the match right at the start of the second period, scoring in the 48th minute.

Despite the Cavaliers controlling the pace of play for the majority of the second half SMU had multiple good looks including Eliana Salama sending a ball of the left post.

As both teams continued to generate offensive chances Virginia would break the 1-1 tie 80th minute. SMU fought to equalize the match but could not find the back of the net.

// OTHER NOTES
No. 25 Virginia was the fifth straight-ranked opponent that SMU has faced. SMU is now 0-3-1 on the road this season.
In her third season as head coach of the Mustangs, Nicole Nelson is now 27-17-8 overall at SMU
The Mustangs are now 468-247-61 all-time in program history.