Men's soccer routs Memphis in home opener, 5-0

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

SMU Earns Home-Opening Win In 5-0 Final Over Memphis

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU earned the win in its first home match of the season with a 5-0 final versus Memphis at Crum Lacrosse Field on Saturday. The Mustangs have now outscored their opponents 14-0 to start the 2020-21 campaign.

The Mustangs (3-0-0, 3-0-0 AAC) fought hard in the first half and headed into halftime with a 16-3 shot advantage over the Tigers (1-2-0, 1-2-0 AAC), including four shots on goal, but none found the back of the net.

SMU dominated offensively in the second half and opened up its scoring in the 47th minute when Thomas Haney headed the ball into the net off a throw in from Noah Hilt, who earned the assist. Hilt earned two more points on the night when his shot found the lower right-hand corner of the goal to put the Mustangs ahead 2-0 in the 50th minute.

The Mustangs converted two of three penalty kicks during the match, with the first coming in the 54th minute. Gabriel Costa took the shot for the Mustangs, which snuck past Memphis' Parker Lackland for his first goal of the season and a 3-0 lead.

Papa Ndoye helped the Mustang offense with his second multi-goal game of the season, finishing the night with 13 shots. His first goal was in the 56th minute after he chested down a cross from Knut Ahlander and made the shot just below the crossbar. Ndoye took the second penalty kick of the game in the 67th minute to take SMU's lead to 5-0.

Shane Lanson earned his third win of the season, saving the only shot on goal he faced from the Tigers. Saturday's shutout win is the first time the Mustangs have started a season with three consecutive shutouts since 2009.

SMU is back in action at Temple on Saturday, March 6. The game is set to start at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Great start to the season!!!

[Charleston Pony]

Beginning to feel like this could be a very special season for these guys

[Terry Webster]

I really hope soccer can make it all the way through the season. This team has a legit shot at winning it all.

[Terry Webster]

Now ranked #2 by one of the polling sites behind Stanford.