Boxscore
Nelson/Rudden Post Game
DALLAS (SMU) – Mackenzie Rudden scored SMU's match-winning goal in the 84
th minute to seal the Mustangs' 1-0 shutout victory over Charlotte at Washburne Stadium on Sunday.
With the win, SMU secured its berth in the American Athletic Conference Tournament.
SMU improves to 8-5-1 with a 4-3-1 conference mark after to remain in second place of the AAC's West Division. Charlotte drops to 7-6-4 with a 3-3-2 conference record.
Mayu Inokawa advanced the ball to Rudden, who snuck it past Charlotte's Emma Wakeman and into the bottom right corner of the net. Rudden's goal capped off SMU's offensive control throughout the match, serving as the Mustangs' 16
th shot and fifth shot on goal of the afternoon. The Mustangs also out-earned the 49ers in corner-kick opportunities (9-1).
Inokawa's assist to Rudden marked the first of her SMU career.
Four Mustangs –
Eliana Salama (2),
Wayny Balata,
Peyton Annen and Rudden – recorded shots on goal.
Samantha Estrada earned her fourth shutout of the season, making two saves on the afternoon. Estrada entered Sunday's match with AAC's third highest saves-per-game average (4.08).
SMU's defense, led by previous AAC Defensive Players of the Week Annen and Inokawa held Charlotte to only five shots and two shots on goal, tallying the fifth match in a row the Mustangs have held opponents to four or fewer shots on goal.
SMU's shutout marked the Mustangs' fifth of the season and third of its last five matches. The Mustangs have now held opponents to one or fewer goals in 26 of 33 matches played under Head Coach
Nicole Nelson.
SMU will travel to take on North Texas on Thursday at the Mean Green Soccer Complex for its final regular season match. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. and can be livestreamed on ESPN+.
