The Mustangs come into their Conference USA opener riding a four game winning streak. They also hold honors, goalkeeper Ashley Gunter was named C-USA Co-Defensive Player of the Week, and forward Olivia O’Rear picked up multiple honors. O’Rear was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week, was named to Soccer Buzz, and to Soccer America’s Team of the Week.
During their four game winning streak SMU has outscored their opponents 11-3, and O’Rear scored six of the goals. The Mustangs have also picked up goals from five other players, including two from Krystal Bailey. The other goals came from Alissa Ireland, Katie Leonard, Jenna Lind and Marisa Schieda.
The Mustangs will take on the University of Texas-El Paso and Colorado College.
UTEP comes in to the game with a two game winning streak and an overall record of 9-4.
The Miners have outscored their opponents 35-8 on the season and most of their goals come from Tameka Sumter. Sumter, who has eight goals on the year, also has two assists, and is the team leader with 18 points.
UTEP has mostly used two goalkeepers. Brittany Popoff has spent most of the time in net allowing all eight goals in 611 minutes. Jessica Salvi has spent 381 minutes at the position and hasn’t surrendered a goal.
The Miners made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year with an impressive 20-3-1 record. UTEP made it to the final of the C-USA tournament, and their at-large NCAA bid made for their first NCAA appearance.
Last season the Mustangs defeated the Miners 2-1 in El Paso. The game is Friday night at 7 p.m. at Westcott Field.
On Sunday Colorado College comes to Dallas for the Mustangs second conference game of the weekend.
The Colorado College Tigers begin their conference schedule on Friday at the University of Tulsa. They come in with a 7-1-1 non-conference record and suffered their only loss on Sept. 1.
In nine games Colorado College has only managed 17 goals, but have only allowed four.
Emily Beans leads the team with five goals and has also recorded one assist for a team leading 11 points.
Goalkeeper Geneva Sills has allowed all four goals, but has played over 700 minutes on the season.
Colorado College is listed as a temporary affiliate member of Conference-USA and only competes in the conference in women’s soccer. The Mustangs will take on the Tigers Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Westcott Field.
The Mustangs will need Ashley Gunter to continue her strong play in goal, and Olivia O’Rear’s ability to find the back of the net and assist others in doing so. But the key to SMU’s achievements so far this year has been the play of the team. The Mustangs have goals from 10 different players this year and five, without goals, have assists. If the Mustangs continue their team play, they should have success in the conference.