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Nov. 5, 2017

DALLAS (SMU) – No. 13 SMU defeated Connecticut, 1-0, Saturday in front of packed crowd at Westcott Field on senior night to win the American Athletic Conference regular-season title.

The Mustangs clinched the No. 1 seed and will host the American Men's Soccer Championship next week.

After a scoreless first half, Emil Cuello sent a pass that was popped up in the air to a streaking Garrett McLaughlin, who gathered it and floated a shot over the Huskies keeper for the game-winning score in the 78th minute. It was McLaughlin's 13th goal, which is the most by a Mustang since Alex Smith tallied 13 in 2004. The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native now has 17 career goals and eight game-winners in only 32 matches.
 

With the win, SMU finished the regular-season 13-2-1 overall and 5-1-1 in conference play, while Connecticut fell to 8-7-2 and 4-3 in the league play. The Huskies will be the No. 3 seed in conference tournament.

The Mustangs outshot the Huskies, 13-7, including a 6-2 advantage on shots on goal. Cuello, Bryce Clark, Nicky Hernandez and Eddie Munjoma all finished with two shots each, while Hernandez and Clark both had two shots on frame.

Michael Nelson continues his great play between the posts recording his ninth shutout of the season. The preseason American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year registered two huge saves to give him 46 on the season.

SMU's backline, consisting of Munjoma, Jordan Cano, Talen Maples, Philip Ponder and Jared Rice, have played a major role in the shutouts and did so again with a title on the line. Connecticut was held to seven shots with only two on goal.

The Mustangs will host the American Men's Soccer Championship Friday, Nov. 10 and Sunday Nov. 12. UCF and Connecticut kick off Championship semifinals action at 4:30 p.m. in the first match of the day on Friday, while SMU faces Temple in the night cap at 7 p.m. Both semifinal matchups will air live on The American Digital Network. The semifinal winners will square off in the title game on Sunday (1 p.m., ESPNU) for the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Mustangs by following the SMU Men's Soccer Team on Twitter at @SMUSoccerM, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SMUSoccerM, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/SMU_MSOC. Follow SMU Athletics on Twitter at @SMUMustangs or Instagram at SMU.Mustangs.