
The SMU women’s soccer team used their seniors and ball control Friday afternoon to defeat McNeese State 2-0.
The Mustangs came into the tournament as the regular season champions of Conference-USA, and the Cowgirls of McNeese won the Southland Conference Tournament.
After missing several games at the end of the season, including the C-USA Tournament, Olivia O’Rear was back, and she proved it.
In only the 4th minute of the game O’Rear did was she has done all season long, put balls in the net. Off a pass from Kim Peabody, O’Rear gave the Mustangs an early 1-0 lead.
Then the Mustangs used their defense to shut down the Cowgirls. McNeese did not register a shot in the first half, and didn’t get a shot on goal until the 81st minute of the match.
And just one minute later the Mustangs added to their lead.
Susanne Collins was able to get it past Shelby Money with a pass coming from Marisa Schieda, putting SMU up 2-0.
Ashley Gunter only faced five shots, with only one on goal. The Mustang defense didn’t allow the Cowgirls to get into a rhythm all game long.
The Mustangs play next on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. when they take on the winner of Grambling State and Texas A&M.