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McLaughlin_Garret_Georgetown
0
Central Arkansas UCA (9-11-1)
2
Winner SMU SMU (16-2-1)
Central Arkansas UCA
(9-11-1)
0
Final
2
SMU SMU
(16-2-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Central Arkansas UCA 0 0 0
SMU SMU 0 2 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

No. 10 SMU Advances In NCAA Tournament With 2-0 Victory Against Central Arkansas

Mustangs (16-2-1) Will Play At No. 14 Seed Georgetown Sunday At Noon CT

Nov. 16, 2017

Box Score (PDF) | Season Stats (PDF) | Photo Gallery
UCA Postgame | SMU Postgame | Players Postgame

DALLAS (SMU) – Throughout, the first half, it just felt like SMU's first goal was more of a matter of when than if. The Mustangs controlled the ball and fired 10 first half shots but went to the locker room at half in a goalless draw.

It didn't take long in the second half to get the go-ahead goal. The very first shot in the second half was the charm for SMU (16-2-1). After earning a corner kick, the ball found its way to Garrett McLaughlin in the box. The sophomore slotted in his team-leading 14th goal of the season to give the Mustangs the 1-0 lead in the 50th minute.

In the 78th minute, SMU would put the game away for good. Eddie Nunjoma found Christian Boorom, who slotted it away to give the Mustangs their final 2-0 advantage.

"I thought we played well," head coach Kevin Hudson said. "It took us a while to find the answer. It's a just result. Central Arkansas did well. They defended with some intensity, and it was a challenging puzzle to solve. Eventually, we got the goal. It was a little scrappy on the first one. Once we solved the first one, the second one was coming. I thought we would get the third, but overall, I'm pleased with the result."

Goalkeeper Michael Nelson and his backline continued the form that has carried SMU to this point. Central Arkansas struggled to find many truly threatening chances, and even when shots did come, the American Goalkeeper of the Year was there. The Bears put six shots on goal, and all six found Nelson's gloves for the save.

SMU is now on an 11-match unbeaten streak and remains perfect on the season at Westcott Field at 13-0. The match was SMU's 12 shutout of the season, while the defense has only allowed 10 goals.

The win was Hudson's third NCAA Tournament victory and the program's 34th.

The Mustangs advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will travel to No. 14 seed Georgetown. With a win, SMU would advance to its second Round of 16 in three seasons.




 



 

 
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