The SMU Women’s Soccer team stifled the University of Miami on Sunday, Sept. 28, allowing just one shot on goal, but couldn’t convert on multiple scoring chances, leading to a 0-0 draw.
The Mustangs entered Sunday’s matchup 7-3-1 overall and 1-1-1 in conference, coming off an impressive 4-0 win on the road versus Pitt. Miami arrived in the hunt for their first ACC win, sporting a 0-3-0 record in conference play. With only two days of rest since playing Pitt, SMU Head Coach Nicole Nelson said she was impressed by her team’s tenacity.
“It’s not easy, and this conference is everyone can beat everyone on any day,” Nelson said. “So overall, they adapted and I was happy with the way they competed and what they created from a goal-scoring chance perspective.”
In the first half, neither team produced much offense. Miami forward Teegan Melenhorst fired off her squad’s only shot on target, an easy save opportunity for SMU goalkeeper Aubrey Brown. Brown attributed the Mustangs’ defensive success to her teammates in front of her.
“They had one shot on goal today, at Pitt they had three, and no real chances,” Brown said. “Everyone is putting their bodies on the line every single play. Makes my job a lot easier… so I’m super proud of them.”
Mustang seniors Hali Hartman and Sydney Japic stood out defensively, preventing numerous offensive attacks by the Hurricanes. Hartman and Japic were the only SMU players besides Brown to play the full 90 minutes. After star forward Nyah Rose left the match with a head injury, Nelson was forced to use seven substitutes.
“We believe in everyone on this team,” Nelson said. “We know it takes an entire team. Injuries are a part of it, you have to adapt and they do. It’s like next woman up, and they go after it.”
The Mustangs mustered just three shots and zero corner kicks in the first half. After halftime, SMU found far greater success offensively, attempting 10 shots and five corner kicks. Sophomore forward Liz Eddy bounced a shot attempt off the crossbar, and forward Sammy Nieves almost put a ball in the bottom-left corner. Still, Miami goalie Atlee Olofson made a narrow deflection.
“Organization was kind of lacking for a little bit, and then towards the second half it was like it all picked up and [SMU] had our chances, just didn’t finish when we had our opportunities there.” SMU fan Rene Orta said.
In addition to Nieves and Eddy, sophomore Lydia Ungashick punted three shot attempts, while six other players had one shot attempt as SMU finished the match with 13 total shots.
“We had four [goals] go our way on Thursday,” Nelson said. “It really opened up for us, so you just got to roll with it. It’s not easy to score goals. It’s not easy, and [Miami] was resilient at it.”
Miami’s offense failed to gather steam in the second half, as the defensive core of the Mustangs continuously mitigated scoring opportunities by the Hurricane front line. Miami attempted four shots and zero corner kicks in the second half.
“I just don’t really feel like they had very many opportunities that felt like real threats on us,” Brown said. “It was pretty locked down there.”
The Mustangs receive a week-long break before playing the Cal Golden Bears on Alumni Night on Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. in Washburne Stadium.
