Box Score | Photo Gallery
Post Match Press Conference

DALLAS (SMU) — The SMU women's soccer program shutout Boston College 1-0 on Sunday inside Washburne Stadium.

After a deadlocked first half, graduate student and captain Mackenzie Rudden headed in the match's only goal early in the second by cleaning up a penalty shot that bounced off the crossbar.

It was Rudden's first goal of the season and the fifth of her career. Junior Sammy Nieves, who took the penalty shot, earned her first assist this season, as she has now tallied six in her career.

The Mustangs controlled the pace of play for the majority of the match. They outshot the Eagles 12-9, including 8-6 in the second half.

Shots on goal were at a premium for both teams (5-4 SMU), but the Mustangs were the only ones to capitalize.

Goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde made four saves on the day and recorded her second complete shutout of the season. SMU has now shut out four of its nine opponents this year.

SMU remains undefeated in conference action, improving to 6-3-0 (2-0-0) on the year. Boston College dropped only its second match of the season and is now 7-2-1 (0-1-1).

// HOW IT HAPPENED
Rudden played the role of hero as she scored the match's only goal in the 52nd minute as Nieves sent a penalty shot off the crossbar that bounced right to Rudden, who headed the ball into the back of the net.

Liz Eddy showcased her ability to play physical, as she drew a foul on the inside box, resulting in the penalty kick that led to the match-winning goal.

BC tried to respond quickly, sending two shots at the net in the following two minutes of action, but they were denied by Cota-Yarde and the SMU backline.

SMU took back control of the match and turned back on the offensive pressure over the final 20 minutes of the match as the team outshot BC 8-6 in the period.

With two minutes left in the match, BC had their best look of the half as the Eagles sent a ball right over the crossbar, which would be their final chance to equalize the match.

The Mustangs turned on the pressure early after Cota-Yarde saved two back-to-back shots in the early minutes of the match.

Over the first 20 minutes, SMU used its high-energy play to generate multiple runs at the net but was unable to find the back of the net.

SMU controlled the pace of play and the ball for most of the half, outshooting BC 4-3, yet the match was tied nil-nil at the half.
 
// OTHER NOTES
SMU is 1-0-0 against Boston College. Sunday's match was the first overall meeting between the two programs.
SMU is now 2-0-0 in ACC play, it is the first time since 2018 the program has won its first two conference matches.
In her third season as head coach of the Mustangs, Nicole Nelson is now 27-13-6 overall.
SMU now holds a record of 24-7-3 at home since 2021.
The Mustangs are now 468-243-59 all-time in program history.