SMU Men’s club lacrosse was happy to have Tuesday night off after playing four games in four days. The men went 3-1 last weekend suffering their only loss to the University of Texas.
Friday’s game started on a good note, but ended in favor of Texas, 7-6. It is the second year in a row SMU has lost to Texas by one point. The Mustangs were up 5-4 at the end of the first half. They went into the second half riding the momentum from the first, but quickly lost it when Texas scored two more goals. SMU came back with the tying goal in the third quarter.
Texas switched up its defensive strategy the second half of the game and the Mustangs had a hard time adjusting.
“Our defense played well, but our offense couldn’t handle their pressure,” said head coach Tom Greene.
The Longhorns had possession of the ball for about seven of the last eight minutes of the game.
“A team of that quality we’ll see again in the conference finals,” said Kimble Ratliff, president of the club.
SMU looks forward to possibly meeting up with Texas again in the Lone Star Alliance playoffs in May.
“I like our odds going into a playoff game with a little chip on our shoulder,” said Greene. “Talent-wise, we’re a better team.”
Saturday, Feb. 17, the Mustangs faced Fort Worth rival TCU. SMU beat the Frogs 10-5. The Mustangs were up 6-1 in the first quarter of the game.
Almost every player saw playing time during Saturday’s game due to the fact that it was the team’s parent’s weekend.
Eight players had goals against TCU including first-year attackman, Timmy Conley and sophomore attackman, Andrew Garcia who each had two goals apiece.
Sunday’s game against St. Cloud State ended in a win for the Mustangs, 14-4.
Eleven players had goals including sophomore midfielder, Jono Hiemenz who finished the day with another hat trick. Hiemenz had six goals over the course of the four-game weekend.
The Mustangs had 55 shots on goal against St. Cloud State.
Junior attackman, Michael Carrington had an outstanding weekend. Carrington scored eight goals and had five assists for a total of 13 points.
Carrington and first-year attackman, Tolar Hamblen each had four goals against Missouri State University Monday afternoon. Carrington also had four assists in Monday’s game.
The Mustangs beat Missouri State 20-10 and had 57 shots on goal against the Bears.
Overall the weekend was a success for the Mustangs who have a small break before their next conference game against Oklahoma State University on Saturday, March, 3, in Stillwater, Okla.