The SMU women’s soccer team won its final two regular season games last weekend to earn a share of the C-USA title.
SMU and the University of Central Florida each finished with an 8-1 record in conference play to split the title. SMU and UCF did not play each other this year and would only face each other in a potential C-USA title game match-up.
The Mustangs (14-4-1, 8-1 C-USA) earned the title by shutting out UAB 4-0 Friday night and holding on for a 2-1 victory over Memphis Sunday afternoon.
Against UAB, the Mustangs dominated a talent opponent who simply wasn’t able to find its rhythm.
“UAB is a very good team,” Mustang head coach John Cossaboon said. “The score up [on the scoreboard] isn’t indicative of the quality of the game. They’ve got a lot of girls that can play, and they’re very dangerous.”
Junior Olivia O’Rear, who is finally finding her stride after struggling early in the season with injuries, got SMU on the board in the 8th minute when she chipped the ball into the upper right corner of the net. The assist went to Krystal Bailey, who found an unmarked O’Rear at the top of the box.
Midfielder Autumn Browning doubled the lead in the 21st minute when he deflected an O’Rear free kick into the net. Browning also scored the Mustangs’ fourth goal of the game when Bailey fed her at the top of the box for a shot that bounced off the post and into the goal.
Bailey added her own goal, the third of the game, in the 51st minute, when she got in one-on-one with the UAB goalkeeper and beat her with a low shot to the far post. Freshman Kirsten Moran picked up the assist.
The offensive showing was a good sign from the Mustangs, who have at times this season struggled with variety in their offense.
“We play better when we pass it around,” redshirt freshman Marisa Schieda said. “And it really helps when the other team is playing soccer instead of just hitting it forward. We were able to get a quick forward attach going tonight, and it was a lot easier to settle down.”
Sunday’s win over Memphis was a much closer affair, with the SMU defense giving up its first goal in the past five games in the 13th minute when the Tigers Emiko Schwab headed home a corner kick.
But, Browning and O’Rear teamed up again in the 35th minute, as Browning headed in an O’Rear cross to tie the game at one.
The Mustangs were given a prime opportunity to take the lead in the 54th minute when O’Rear was fouled in the box, but Carley Phillips’ penalty kick attempt was saved. But, Krystal Bailey broke the tie 14 minutes later when she took a feed from her sister Kimber Bailey to beat the Tigers’ goalkeeper.
Rice is hosting this year’s C-USA tournament in Houston next weekend. The Mustangs will be there in hopes of earning the automatic NCAA berth that comes with the title.
