W-Soccer: SMU at Rutgers

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

The Mustangs are in New Jersey to face the Scarlet Knights Sunday at noon Central time at Yurcak Field.

Rutgers (10-2-1, 3-1-0) have only lost at #4 Virginia and at Louisville so far this season, so this one will obviously be a big test for SMU. Rutgers faced Houston Thursday night and only defeated the Cougars 1-0 on a goal in the 62nd minute.

The Scarlet Knights are led by forwards Stefanie Scholz (8G, 1A) and Jonelle Filigno (7G, 3A) and have also had a nice contribution from freshman midfielder Madison Tiernan (5G, 3A).

SMU (7-6-0, 2-3-0) has played good teams extremely tough so far this season, so there is no reason to expect anything different in this one.

Go Mustangs!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

After last night's action, the current American standings are:

1. Louisville (15, 5-0-0)
2. UCF (10, 3-0-1)
3. Rutgers (9, 3-1-0)
4. UConn (9, 3-2-0)
5. Cincinnati (7, 2-2-1)
6. USF (6, 2-2-0)
7. SMU (6, 2-3-0)
8. Memphis (3, 1-3-0)
9. Temple (3, 1-4-0)
10. Houston (0, 0-5-0)

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

All of the rain on the east coast appears to have moved out. Gametime forecast is for mid-60s with a 10% chance of rain and a light breeze.

Go Mustangs!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Rutgers up 1-0 early. SMU can't clear a corner.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

1-0 at the half. Other than the early lapse on the Rutgers corner it was a pretty solid half from the Mustangs.

SMU looks dangerous on corners and deep throws.

Shots at the half are 6-4 to Rutgers. SMU has the advantage in shots on goal (2-1) and corners (2-1).

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Second half underway.

Some early excitement as Gabby Petrucelli and Jonelle Filigno are both shown straight reds!

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

Around 20 minutes remaining. SMU with some great chances but still 1-0.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

5 minutes left. Clarke with a fantastic chance shoots just high off a nice cross from Redman.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

So close! Courtney Smith hits the crossbar on a free kick and Clarke's point blank shot off the rebound is saved.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

1-0 Final.

Another great effort from SMU but unfortunately another close loss against a really good team. We had three or four great chances at the equalizer.

Some huge saves from Bodden too to keep it a 1-0. The game really opened up at 10 v 10 and it really opened up as players got more tired.

Oh well, back home to finish the year starting with Houston Friday night.

[DanFreibergerForHeisman]

The Rutgers postgame interview with their head coach didn't address the red card incident. I'm sure the interviewer was told it was off-limits...

Final stats:

Shots: Rutgers 17, SMU 7
Shots on goal: Rutgers 5, SMU 3
Corners: Rutgers 5, SMU 3
Fouls: Rutgers 12, SMU 5

Both teams took a red card of course. Rutgers also picked up a yellow.

Rikki Clarke took five of the seven SMU shots and two of the three SMU shots on goal.