SMU’s Bruno Guarda has racked up awards throughout the season. Guarda and the Mustangs will complete the regular season at home this week. (Nick McCarthy)
The 5th ranked SMU men’s soccer team (11-3-2. 6-1-1) will face Bradley University (11-4-3, 3-0-2) at Westcott Field at 7 p.m.
The Braves have played well lately by going undefeated in their last seven games. Bradley has already clinched at least a share of the Missouri Valley Conference title, the Mustangs’ former conference, after its win over Eastern Illinois.
Even though Bradley is unranked in most polls, they are on the brink of cracking the top 25 in some polls and not a team the Mustangs can take a break against. The Braves tied their last ranked opponent, No. 7 Creighton, 2-2 on the road.
The all-time series between SMU and Bradley is tied at 3-3-3. Bradley remains the only team in the Missouri Valley Conference that has ever beaten the Mustangs at home.
The Braves’ senior defender Joe Donoho has been the anchor of the team this year. He has played 1,676 of 1,685 possible minutes this season. On top of play defense, Donoho has scored five goals this season, two coming from penalty kicks. He gives opposing team matchup problems since he floats from the defensive line into attacking positions.
Midfielders Drew DeGurian and Chris Cutshaw also have played vital roles in the Braves’ offensive attack. DeGurian leads Bradley in goals scored with six and points with 16. Cutshaw is tied with Donoho for second in goals scored with five.
The Mustangs are trying to bounce back after a tough loss against Kentucky snapped their 10-game undefeated streak.
The Mustangs’ offensive production has come from many different players who have stepped up for injured starters. Junior midfielder Bruno Guarda and forward Richard Oliva lead the Mustangs in goals scored with seven. Guarda also leads the Mustangs, as well as Conference USA, in total points with 21.
Two forwards who have played notably well this year are sophomore Dane Saintus and junior Scott Geppert. Saintus has played in every game and currently has 12 points on the season. After missing the season’s first five games, Geppert has fueled the Mustangs offense by scoring five goals in 11 games. Geppert has the best goals per game percentage on the team.
The Mustangs’ backline has experienced various injuries throughout the season. The mainstays this season have been senior Adrian Chevannes and junior Ryan Mirsky. Mirsky and Chevannes have missed only 4 games combined and provide experience.
Players forced to step up this season are Daniel Lopez and first years Chad Bauman and Patrick Clendenny. These players have all seen significant minutes and experienced success as defenders. The Mustangs have defensively been one of the best units in the country considering goalkeeper Steve Sandbo has only seen 57 shots on goal in 14 games and allowed less than one goal per game on average.
Wednesday night’s game is crucial for the Mustangs since it is so late in the season. A win could put SMU back on track and restore team confidence just before the beginning of the Conference USA Tournament.
