Aug. 29, 2008
Box score in PDF Format 
Complete Release in PDF Format
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA. (SMU) - The SMU men's soccer team, ranked as high as No. 12 in the nation in preseason polls, kicked off the season in convincing fashion Friday afternoon, shutting out No. 27 Old Dominion, 2-0, in the first game of the University of Virginia Classic in Charlottesville, Va.
The teams battled to a scoreless draw in the first half, but it didn't take long after the intermission for the Mustangs to get what proved to be the only goal they would need. Freshman midfielder/forward Arthur Ivo put the Ponies ahead to stay in the 47th minute, when he one-touched a cross from the left side past ODU goalkeeper Michael Roura.
Senior Manuel Mariel added an insurance goal for the Mustangs, converting assists from seniors Jeff Harwell and Paulo da Silva and scoring from 12 yards out.
The Mustangs had the edge in virtually every statistical category, including a 12-3 margin in shots, and an 8-1 edge after the halftime intermission. Junior SMU goalkeeper Craig Hill earned the second shutout of his career.
The Mustangs will return to the field Sunday evening, when they play the host Virginia Cavaliers at 7 p.m. (central time). For a complete schedule and ticket information, log on to SMUMustangs.com or call 214-SMU-GAME.
