SMU Defeats Memphis 2-1 in Double Overtime To Advance To American Athletic Conference Championship

Thursday, November 8

Orlando, Fla.

SMU

10-4-2; 5-1-1

Memphis (AAC Semifinals)

8-7-4; 2-4-1

Team	1	2	OT 3	OT 4	Final F
Memphis	1	0	0	0	1
SMU	1	0	0	1	2

SMU Defeats Memphis 2-1 in Double Overtime To Advance To American Athletic Conference Championship

Nov 8 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

SMU (10-4-2, 5-1-1 American)

CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL | BOX SCORE
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ORLANDO (The American/SMU) – Philip Ponder chipped in the game-winning goal in the second minute of double overtime, sending No. 2 seed SMU to its second-straight American Athletic Conference Men's Soccer title game. The Mustangs prevailed 2-1 over No. 6 seed Memphis on Thursday evening.

Ponder sent the short shot over the top of Memphis goalkeeper off the pass from Talen Maples, who received a deep throw-in from Lane Warrington. The overtime victory marked the second-straight extra-time American Championship win for the Mustangs, dating back to last year's title match against UCF. Ponder has now scored four goals in the past three games, all wins, for SMU.

The Mustangs (10-4-2) advance to Saturday's Championship, where they will meet the winner of No. 1 UCF and No. 2 UConn at 7 p.m. at the UCF Soccer & Track Complex. The game will be available live on ESPN3.

Akean Shackleford buried the first goal for the Mustangs, while goalkeeper Grant Makela finished with three saves.

Memphis' lone goal came from Alexandros Ierides in the first half.

The best chances belonged to SMU for the remainder of the half, and the Mustangs evened the match as the frame ticked down. Shackleford set a ball across the box to Eddie Munjoma, and Noah Hilt fed the cross right back to the far post. Shackleford fired a one-touch volley out of the air and past the outstretched arms of Lackland for the highlight tally.

The Mustangs emerged reenergized in the second half, controlling possession for much of the first 20 minutes until the Tigers had SMU outnumbered on a counter in the 68^th minute. Makela denied a close-range attempt from Memphis to keep the margin even. Memphis' push continued, and the shot total ended at an even 13 to close regulation.

Both teams managed two shots a side in the first overtime period, with Lackland and Makela make a save apiece. The Mustangs nearly ended the contest earlier, with Emil Cuello launching a rocket just wide of the net in the opening minutes of the first overtime.

SMU ended with 16 shots to Memphis' 15, with the teams combining for five corner kicks.