The No. 25 SMU men’s soccer team shut out No. 20 Tulsa, 1-0, for the win Wednesday night at Westcott Field. The Mustangs extend their undefeated streak to eight games (7-0-1). The men are 7-2-2 on the season but 3-0 in Conference USA.
“We know it’s going to be a battle whenever we play Tulsa,” said head coach Tim McClements.
The game marks the second consecutive shut-out for the Mustangs and the fourth for C-USA Defensive Player of the Week, goal keeper Jaime Ibarra.
Ibarra was also awarded Disney Soccer/NSCAA National Player of the Week Wednesday and was named to the College Soccer News National Team of the Week. He has made 21 saves during SMU’s 3-0 run to open up conference play.
Over the last five games Ibarra has only allowed two goals and has blocked two penalty kicks. For the season he has 61 saves with an average of 6.1 per game (9th in NCAA) and has six games this season with at least six stops.
Tulsa’s greatest scoring opportunity was a one-on-one shot by Stephen Roberson that came in the 83rd minute. Ibarra managed to block the initial shot but the ball continued slowly towards the net, leading to a save on the line by SMU defender Aaron Simmons.
Mustang Brenden Lee scored the game winner of a cross from Tyler Engel. In the 51st minute Engel sent a cross to the far side of the box where freshman Lee sent a five-yard volley into a relatively open net. The score was the first goal of Lee’s career, as he only recently made this switch from outside back to winger this week.
“Everyone likes to play winger or forward and get into the attack,” Lee said. “I like playing wherever they put me; close to the ball, on the attack. Anytime you can get a goal it’s the best feeling.”
“We are just trying to find out where he is best,” McClements said. “The position that he was in tonight is well suited for him, he is so fast and quick that he is dangerous wherever you put him.”
Saturday is Facebook Fan Appreciation day as SMU hosts Kentucky at 7 p.m. at Westcott Field. Become a fan of the SMU Men’s Soccer team on Facebook and print out a voucher for free admission to the game.
