SMU forward Dane Saintus (right) knocks the ball away from Bradley forward Teddy Anderson (left) during a recent game at Wescott Field. SMU overcame the Gonzaga Bulldogs on Nov. 24 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. (John Schreiber)

The weather could not have been much worse at Westcott Field for the first-round matchup between the SMU Mustangs and the Gonzaga Bulldogs. The rain was a constant for nearly the entire game, while the temperatures remained below 40 degrees. However, the Mustangs still came away with a 1-0 win over the Bulldogs.

The mass amounts of rain had a drastic effect on the field conditions. According to coaches and players alike, Westcott Field is already a fast playing surface compared to other fields around the country. When rain is added to the equation, the ball bounces off the ground with lightning speed and causes both teams to make adjustments.

Gonzaga head coach Einar Thorarinsson thought the rain forced the Bulldogs to change their style of play.

“The field was a fast field, which is a little unusual for us,” said Thorainsson. “It took us a long time to adapt to the field conditions.”

SMU head coach Schellas Hyndman echoed Thorarinsson’s remarks on the field conditions.

“The field conditions hurt us a little bit. We haven’t played in conditions like this all year and I thought that Gonzaga played well in these conditions,” said Hyndman.

The wet conditions made the ball run fast all night, but players were able to keep their footing for nearly the entire game.

In spite of the tough conditions, the match started on schedule and was never delayed. There were no goals in the first half of play, but that didn’t mean the half lacked spirit and gripping action.

Hyndman said, “This was a typical NCAA playoff game where two teams come out very inspired. Two teams that have everything to play for and leave it all on the field.”

The Mustangs started off the game running and in control. For about the first seven minutes of the game, the Mustangs kept the ball on the Bulldogs’ side of the field and had numerous scoring opportunities.

Sophomore forward Dane Saintus took two shots during that span and nearly scored on both of his opportunities. However, the Bulldogs’ senior goalkeeper Vito Higgins was in perfect position to make both saves.

Saintus had five shots in the game, four on goal, and gave the Bulldogs’ defense trouble all night. He attributed his success to using his speed that allows him to make long runs and take open shots.

The early portion of the game also featured a number of corner kicks and shots by the Mustangs, the Gonzaga defense and Higgins were able to hold the Mustangs scoreless.

The numerous SMU scoring chances followed by nearly flawless defense by Gonzaga characterized the entire game. The Mustangs had an astounding 21 shots throughout the game, 14 of which were on goal.

In order to stay in the game, the Bulldogs’ needed Higgins on top of his game. He answered the call with arguably the best game of his career. He had a career-high 14 saves and stopped every SMU scoring opportunity, except the penalty kick.

The second half nearly mirrored the first considering SMU stopped Gonzaga’s few scoring chances and could not find the back of the net on their own scoring opportunities. However, in the 76th minute of the game junior midfielder Bruno Guarda was tripped up in the box and was awarded a penalty kick.

Guarda took all of the Mustangs’ penalty kicks during the regular season, and Saturday night was no exception. With the crowd on its feet, Guarda faked right then hit it past Higgins for the game-winning goal. Higgins bit on Guarda’s fake and dove the wrong way.

With the win, the Mustangs advance to the second round of the tournament to play Creighton. They will have to travel to Omaha, Neb., after not making the top 16 in the NCAA rankings, even though they were ranked No. 5 in the NSCAA poll.