Mustangs suffer first round loss

The No. 5 SMU men's soccer team suffered their first defeat since Oct. 2 and was knocked out of the Conference USA tournament by South Carolina 2-1 in the semi-final round Friday night in Memphis.

The Gamecocks avenged a 3-1 loss to the Mustangs earlier this season and prevented SMU from garnering an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.

SMU midfielder Arthur Ivo opened up the scoring in the 30th minute and gave the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. Ivo received a nice ball inside the 18 yard box from fellow senior Kekoa Osorio and the junior was able to net his 8th goal of the year.

Just before intermission, the Gamecocks responded with a goal of their own to knot the game at 1-1.

Forward Blake Brettschneider was able to bury the ball in the back of the net following an assist from Sam Arthur just two seconds before halftime.

South Carolina picked up right where they left off in the second half. The Gamecocks went up 2-1 when defender Will Traynor headed in a corner kick from midfielder Stephen Morrissey in the 50th minute.

Defensively the Mustangs were led by goalkeeper Craig Hill who recorded 5 saves, all in the second half.

The win sends the Gamecocks to the Conference USA championship game while SMU will have to await selection Monday at 3:30 on ESPNU to find out its seeding and next opponent upon entering the tournament as an at large team.