The SMU men’s soccer team, after dropping its first two matches, opened up the Tulsa Tournament against SIU Edwardsville on Friday. The Cougars, possessing a sterling 2-0-0 record, looked to continue their early success.
The first half belonged to the Mustangs with SMU outshooting SIUE 6-1 in the opening half.
Juan Castillo, the senior forward for SMU, put the early pressure on the Cougars. Early in the 18th minute, he was able to unleash two shots, one requiring a save from SIUE goalie John Berner.
However, despite the early offensive pressure, SMU and SIUE entered halftime knotted at 0-0.
The tides then turned in the second half as SIUE outshot SMU 5-2.
In the second minute of half number two, the Cougars were able to put a point on the board. Christian Volesky, the reigning Missouri Valley Conference player of the week, took on goalie Jaime Ibarra. From a yard out, Ibarra was beat with a shot over his head for the first and only goal of the game.
Castillo and Leobardo Vazquez were able to get two more shots off in the second half, but to no avail. SMU ultimately lost the match, and fell to 0-3-0.
Trying to turn their fortune around, the Mustangs faced the 1-2-0 Ohio State on Sunday.
In the first half, it was the defenses that characterized the pace. SMU only mustered two shots in the first half, while the Buckeyes only shot the ball once.
In the second half, it was once again SMU’s offense setting the tone with eight shots compared Ohio State’s one. Sometimes, though, it all comes down to quality over quantity. This was one of those times.
In the 76th minute of the match Denio Leone, a senior forward who spent his prior years on OSU’s club team, and freshman defender Tyler Kidwell teamed up to score the only goal of the game. Kidwell sent a pass from the right side to the left, and Leone scored his first career goal, one-timing it from eight yards out.
SMU was unable to convert any of its eight shots into goals. Castillo, however, continued to set the pace for SMU’s offense with three shots, two on goal. Ohio State’s goalkeeper also deserves some note as he delivered a shutout with six saves in the match.
Now 0-4-0 on the season, SMU will travel home to host the Jason’s Deli SMU Invitational. Trying to obtain the elusive first victory of the season, the Mustangs will play Hartwick on Westcott Field and follow that with a match versus UMKC. The matches will take place this upcoming Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 7 p.m. respectively.
