The women’s soccer team lost to Oral Roberts University, 1-0, in the first game of the season, last Friday. The Mustangs will look to rebound against Oklahoma State University on Friday. CASEY LEE/The Daily Campus
Despite heading into their season opener with a 6-0-1 overall record against Oral Roberts University, the Mustangs suffered a 1-0 road loss, marking the first time SMU has lost a road season opener in 24 games.
Logan May led the Mustang’s scoring effort with a team high of four shots, two of which were shot on goal. SMU debuted nine members, including five starting freshmen: Ryanne Lewis, Mallory Baum, Taylor Robinson, Emily Hairston and Kenzie Scovill.
Leading the freshmen was substitute Shelby Hartwick with two shots. Lewis had one shot, while junior Leslie Briggs had two and sophomore Kaitlyn Eidson added one.
The first-team all-Conference USA selection Kim Peabody entered Friday’s game after playing every minute of the team’s last 17 games. Peabody had one shot in the Mustang’s loss to the Golden Eagles.
The first half of the game ended in scoreless tie, wit the Mustangs trailing the Golden Eagles on shots, 7-3.
ORU’s Natalya Manyan scored the winning goal in the 47th minute on SMU goalkeeper, Courtney Webb. Manyan connected on a 25 yard pass from teammate Anne Bickers, giving Bickers the assist to Manyan’s first goal of the season.
Manyan also recorded a game-high five shots, one more than SMU’s May.
ORU goalkeeper Amanda Wheeler earned the shutout over the Mustangs, coming up with two saves on 12 shots by SMU.
Prior to allowing the game-winning goal, Webb had one save in the second period. ORU goalkeeper, Amanda Wheeler, captured one save each period.
Each team finished the game with 12 shots apiece; SMU had three in the first half and nine in the second, while ORU had seven in the first and five in the second.
SMU did manage to beat the ORU in corner kicks, collecting two in the first half and four in the second. The Golden managed to collect just four; one in the first and three in the second half.
In previous meetings between the teams, SMU had only allowed goals in two of the last seven games. The team’s last, and only trip to Tulsa prior to Friday resulted in a 5-3 victory for the Mustangs.
The loss was also head coach Brent Erwin’s first season opener played on the road.
Last season, the team lost their opening game to Oklahoma State at Westcott Field.
Prior to the season-opening loss, SMU fell 3-2 to Stephen F. Austin in an exhibition game on the road.
The Mustangs will visit the No.11 OSU Cowboys on Friday before opening their home schedule on Sept.4 against the University of North Texas.
