DALLAS (SMU) –  The SMU Women's soccer program fell 3-2 to Clemson in a tightly contested match on Thursday inside Washburne Stadium.

It was a back-and-forth match in which SMU (8-4-2, 2-2-2 ACC) grabbed the lead early in the second half but was unable to hold on as Clemson (5-4-5, 2-3-2 ACC) scored twice in the half to claim victory.   

In a game that saw five goals scored, Clemson got on the scoreboard first in the 15^th minute to grab a 1-0 lead.

Both teams took turns generating opportunities throughout the first period as SMU was able to answer the Tigers' opening goal in the 39^th to even the game. After a shot popped high into the air, Lindsay Nicholson got control just outside the box and slid the ball over to Kelly Gordon, who beat the Clemson keeper on a shot to the left corner.

Gordon netted her first goal of the season, while Nicholson has now tallied three assists over the last two games.

The match was tied 1-1 at the half as neither team had grabbed control of the match.

SMU came out of the break with a fierce intensity and capitalized immediately to start the period as Sammy Nieves scored in the 46^th minute to give SMU a 2-1 lead. Liz Eddy drove the ball up the near side before sending a perfectly timed cross into the right in front of the goal as a slashing Nieves rocketed a volley into the net.

The goal was Neives' second of the season and has now totaled a team high 10 points this season (2 goals, 6 assists).

The game opened up as both teams sent shots flying towards the net. Clemson brought the game back to even in the 56^th minute.

Nicholson had a great opportunity to regain the lead for the Mustangs in the 72^nd minute but her shot just missed and the match stayed even.

Playing fast, Clemson was able to use a counterattack to tilt the game in favor of the Tigers in the 75th minute as Clemson's Tatum Short scored the go-ahead goal. It was her second goal of the match.
In the final minutes of the match, Liz Eddy had a shot saved by the Tigers' keeper, and Clemson was able to hold on to victory.

At halftime the SMU 1995 women's soccer team was honored to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the programs first College Cup appearance. The 1995 team finished the season with a program record win total of 23-1-1, won the SWC Tournament, and advanced to the 1995 College Cup.  

// Up Next
SMU heads back on the road to face No.2 Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana on Sunday, October 12. The match will kick off at 2:30 pm CT and will be aired on ACCN.

// Other Notes

• SMU is now 0-2-0 against Clemson
• In her fourth season as head coach of the Mustangs, Nicole Nelson is now 35-23-10 overall at SMU and 97-88-25 in her coaching career.
• The Mustangs are now 22-10-4 at home under Nelson. 
• The Mustangs are now 476-253-63 all-time in program history.