Season Ends With NCAA First Round Loss To Oregon State

Thursday, November 15

Corvallis, Ore.

8 p.m.

SMU

10-5-3

Oregon State

11-5-3

Team	1	2	Final F
SMU	0	1	1
Oregon State	1	1	2

Season Ends With NCAA First Round Loss To Oregon State

Nov 15 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

BOX SCORE 2018 SMU SEASON STATS

CORVALLIS, Ore. (SMU) – The Mustangs' 2018 campaign ended on Thursday with a 2-1 road loss to No. 24 Oregon State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

The game was tight all the way through, though SMU couldn't quite find the extra goal to continue their great season-ending run. The Mustangs finished the season at 10-5-3, including a 6-1-2 close to the season. Oregon State improves to 11-5-3.

In cold temperatures at their home stadium of Lorenz Field, the Beavers converted when they had an opportunity in the 29^th minute. After the ball stayed in the goal area a little too long, Sofiane Djeffal was able to head one past Grant Makela with assists from Don Tchilao and Gloire Amanda.

One of the best Mustang chances came in the 61^st minute as Emil Cuello helped created an opportunity. Akean Shackleford took a shot from close range that hit the body of the keeper and then ricocheted off the goal post. The Mustang continued to pressure the Beavers after the near miss.

In the 68^th minute, it looked like SMU had found the magic that they'd been running on for the last two months. Nicky Hernandez made the most of his action off the bench by equalizing the score. Eddie Munjoma had the assist on the equalizer.

Oregon State didn't let the Mustangs celebrate for long. The Beavers took the ball right back down the pitch with Eric Diaz finding the back of the net 33 seconds after the Mustangs. Tchilao was credited with his second assist of the game.

The Mustang offense threatened for the final quarter of the contest. They generated a few good looks and earned a couple of corners but nothing materialized on the scoreboard and Oregon State moved on in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.

The Beavers move on to the second round, where they will face the nation's only unbeaten squad, the 8^th-seeded Saint Mary's Gaels.

The loss marked the end of the distinguished Mustang careers of three seniors; Emil Cuello, Caleb Smith and Christian Boorom. Over the last four seasons, SMU has won 48 matches, captured five American Conference trophies and played in three NCAA Tournaments with two runs to the sweet 16.