In SMU’s 6-1 victory over ULM on Friday, there was little too raise any concerns from the Mustang faithful.

However, if you look at the box score, you would find that SMU had two players in goal- one for each half.

At halftime, the score was 4-0. Many players were taken out early to be given some rest.

The only reason why the keeper substitution is rather interesting is because Sophomore Shannon Moroney got the start ahead of Senior Lauryn Bodden. Last week against Missouri, Bodden started while Moroney took over at the half.

“I’m trying to give both of them the opportunity to show who should be in,” said head coach Chris Petrucelli. “And I wanted to make sure that [Moroney] had the same opportunity that [Bodden] had.”

Bodden started 17 games last season, posting a 7-7-3 record with four shutouts.

Moroney, an Allen native, appeared in six games (four starts) last season and also posted her first career shut-out.

So far this season, including the exhibition match against Missouri, both Bodden and Moroney have surrendered two goals. However, Moroney is the only one to work a half without allowing a goal.

Competition for a starting job is almost always beneficial for a team. Especially if the race for the spot is as close as this one is, because even after a starter is named, the backup will always be breathing down the neck of the starter.

This prevents either player from becoming complacent. Both players are one play away from being replaced, or from vaulting over the other.

As long as this position battle doesn’t become a distraction or create a division in the locker room it should prove beneficial in the long run.

We will just have to wait and see if the ladies share time in goal against Arkansas on Sunday or if Petrucelli has decided on a full-time starter.

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