Sep 4, 2013
| SMU (0-2, 0-0) vs. #RV SIU Edwardsville (2-0, 0-0) |
| Date & Start Time | Friday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. CT |
| Live Stats | SMU Gametracker |
SMU Match Notes
Looking Back...
The Mustangs opened the 2013 season with a pair of losses at the IU Credit Union Classic in Bloomington, Ind. SMU dropped its first contest of the weekend to then-No. 1 Indiana, 2-1, after taking an early lead off a goal by sophomore Alfred Koroma. In the second match of the Classic with then-No. 7 Notre Dame, the Mustangs mounted a late comeback thanks to sophomore Brenden Lee, but fell short, 2-1.
Taking Notice...
Alfred Koroma has had a hot start in his first season with the Mustangs. The sophomore forward was named to the American Athletic Conference weekly honor roll after his performance at the IU Classic. The forward tallied one goal and six shots against the then-No. 1 and -No. 7 teams in the country.
A Balanced Attack...
Seven different Mustangs registered shots in the first weekend of matches at IU. Alfred Koroma led the way with six, sophomores John Lujano and Eddie Puskarich and freshman Brody Hickey each had three. Senior Juan Castillo and sophomore Will Smith added a pair, and Brenden Lee tallied one.
New Team, New Conference...
The 2013 Mustangs were tabbed fourth in the first American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll. SMU follows preseason No. 5 UConn, No. 10 Louisville and USF, who was receiving votes in the poll. Rutgers, Memphis, UCF, Cincinnati and Temple round out the group.
Let The Awards Begin...
Junior midfielder Damian Rosales was a unanimous selection for the American Athletic Conference Preseason All-Conference Team. The Dallas native played in 18 matches for the Mustangs in 2012 and registered three assists. As a freshman, Rosales picked up two goals and a pair of assists.
They Don't Stop There...
Damian Rosales and sophomore Jacob Speed were named American Athletic Conference First Team preseason selections by CollegeSportsMadness.com. Speed, a transfer from Kentucky, saw action in 21 matches for the Wildcats in 2012. Senior Jaime Ibarra and junior Andrew Morales were second team selections for SMU. Morales had four goals and four assists last season, and Ibarra ranked 10th in NCAA Division I in total saves (99).
Scouting The Cougars...
Missouri Valley Conference opponent SIU Edwardsville opened the season 2-0, with victories over Santa Clara (2-1 2OT) and San Jose State (2-0), and is receiving votes in the NSCAA poll. Junior Christian Volskey, who was recently named the MVC Offensive Player of the Week, has three of the Cougars' four goals in 2013. Senior John Berner went the distance in the goal in both games and registered eight saves. The Mustangs are 10-5-5 in matches with SIUE. The last meeting came in 2010 when SMU earned the 1-0 decision.
Scouting The Buckeyes...
Ohio State is 1-1 to start 2013. The Buckeyes defeated Northern Illinois, 2-0, and were on the losing end of a 2-1 (2OT) decision against UNC Wilmington, who is now ranked 24th in the latest edition of the NSCAA poll. Senior Sage Gardner picked up a quick three points to start the season, while senior Alex Harrison and junior Ryan Ivancic have also tallied goals. Junior Alex Ivanov started both games in goal and has 13 saves. This is the first meeting between the Mustangs and the Buckeyes.
Looking Ahead...
The Jason's Deli SMU Invitational is up next for the squad on Sept. 13 and 15. SMU's first American match at Rutgers is part of a three-match road swing, which includes non-conference matches at Washington and Portland. Louisville comes to the Hilltop on Oct. 6, and the regular season closes out on Nov. 2 when UConn comes to campus. SMU looks to take the No. 1 seed in the inaugural American Tournament, but will host the semifinal and finals in Frisco, Texas, regardless.
