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No. 4 SMU Men's Soccer Rolls To Tournament Title
Ponies top Oakland, 3-1, to remain undefeated


DALLAS (SMU) - The SMU men's soccer team, ranked No. 4 in the country in the current National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll, got goals from a pair of freshmen and senior forward Paulo da Silva to beat Oakland, 3-1, Saturday night at Westcott Field.

The victory, coupled with SMU's win over George Mason in the first round, gives SMU (5-0-1) the championship in the first Prego's Express Italian Men's Soccer Invitational. With a goal in each game, da Silva - the reigning Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week - earned tournament MVP honors.

The Mustangs got on the scoreboard shortly before halftime Friday night. Sophomore forward Dane Saintus dribbled into the right side of the penalty box and sent a crossing pass that bounced off Oakland goalkeeper Steve Clark to freshman Payton Hickey, who drilled home the first goal of his college career in the 41st minute.

Fellow freshman Joe Cooper also scored his first collegiate goal, when he collected a rebound off a shot by senior midfielder Gabe Arredondo and scored in the 55th minute.

Oakland pulled to within a goal in the 70th minute when Martin Sandell hit a shot from point-blank range inside the left post, but the Mustangs responded immediately, when da Silva poked in a pass from sophomore defender Leone Cruz just 23 seconds after Oakland's goal.

da Silva was joined on the all-tournament team by three other Mustangs: sophomore midfielder Kekoa Osorio, junior goalkeeper Craig Hill and senior defender Ryan Mirsky.

The Mustangs now head north next weekend to play in the Tulsa Tournament to play Northern Illinois at 5 p.m. Friday and Hofstra at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, before returning home to face Tulsa at 7 p.m., Sept. 27, in the Conference USA opener for each team.

In the first game Saturday, George Mason midfielder Irvin Martinez converted an assist from Anthony Han in the 12th minute to lead the Patriots past Tulsa, 1-0.

Prego's Express Italian Men's Soccer Invitational All-Tournament Team

Most Valuable Player: Paulo da Silva (SMU)
Craig Hill (SMU)
Ryan Mirsky (SMU)
Kekoa Osorio (SMU)
Piotr Nowak (Oakland)
Steve Clark (Oakland)
Ian Daniel (Oakland)
Fro Adu (George Mason)
Irvin Martinez (George Mason)
Kilian Poeschk (Tulsa)
Chris Taylor (Tulsa)

Very nice. Sounds like Coach McClements is doing one hell of a job, and da Silva is lighting it up. Keep it going, guys!

congrats to the team on the win

Everyone needs to come out and see this team. They're not just winning, they're destroying teams. Oakland is pretty good, and that game was not as close as the score suggested. George Mason isn't as good as Oakland, but still isn't bad, and we could have doubled that score. Paulo da Silva is playing out of his mind. Ryan Mirsky and Leone Cruz and Chad Bauman would make nice linebackers (or at least strong safeties) in the back. Craig Hill has been nothing short of sensational this year. Get out to Westcott Field to see these guys, and bring your voices. It's starting to feel like this could be a really good year.

SMUFan wrote:Everyone needs to come out and see this team. They're not just winning, they're destroying teams. Oakland is pretty good, and that game was not as close as the score suggested. George Mason isn't as good as Oakland, but still isn't bad, and we could have doubled that score. Paulo da Silva is playing out of his mind. Ryan Mirsky and Leone Cruz and Chad Bauman would make nice linebackers (or at least strong safeties) in the back. Craig Hill has been nothing short of sensational this year. Get out to Westcott Field to see these guys, and bring your voices. It's starting to feel like this could be a really good year.

Do not forget senior Daniel Lopez in the back. Another 4 year starter I believe. Brings a high level of skill and maturity to the defense. McClements has done well in spot playing our talented freshman. Surrounds them with experienced players so they can play without pressure and with creativity.

This team is loaded and has started out fast. Hopefully. it can sustain the effort. I am a little bit cautious since I have been following this team for many years and have been burned often.