SMU Men’s Soccer took home the Conference USA Championship title by defeating No. 17 University of Alabama Birmingham Sunday in Tulsa, Okla.
Junior Ben Hill and freshman Aaron Simmons scored for the Mustangs placing them at 13-6-1 for the season.
The Mustangs walked off the field at the half on a solid note after Junior Ben Hill scored in the 34th minute.
The Blazers fouled Senior Arthur Ivo just outside of the 18-yard box, resulting in a free kick for SMU.
Ivo took the kick and fed it into the box to Hill, who sent the ball to the back of net, giving the Mustangs the 1-0 lead. The goal was Hill’s third of the season and second in the tournament.
Freshman Aaron Simmons solidified the lead for the Mustangs with a header from an Ivo corner kick in the 59th minute for a 2-0 victory.
The goal was Simmons’ second of the season.
In between the two goals, the Mustangs saw a lot of action at the net.
Captain Adam Still hit the crossbar in the 49th minute and Hill followed with a header that was blocked by the UAB goalkeeper.
Ivo hit the left post in the 55th minute and Robbie Derschang beat the Blazer keeper one-on-one and hit the right post.
In the last minute of the heated match, Zach Barnes hit the left post in the final minute of play.
The Blazer’s net wasn’t the only side seeing action. SMU’s keeper Jamie Ibarra displayed another stellar performance and earned his fifth shutout of the season.
He blocked a header on the line from UAB’s leading scorer Babayele Sodade in the 85th minute.
Quick on his toes, Ibarra also made a diving save in the 79th minute, tipping the ball off of his fingertips and just outside of the goal.
The Mustangs defense and Ibarra have now posted back-to-back shutouts.
As if the title wasn’t impressive enough, the Mustangs also took home some individual awards.
Ivo was named Offensive MVP of the tournament, who currently holds a team high of 28 points on the year.
Senior Diogo de Almeida was named defensive MVP.
Teammates Junior Tj Nelson and Ibarra were named to the All-Tournament team.
SMU is still waiting on the NCAA selection to show on Monday to find out who their next opponent is.
