SMU’s Adrian Chevannes (center) dribbles past Tulsa’s Eric DeFreitas (right).

The SMU men’s soccer team beat rival Tulsa Golden Hurricanes 2-0 last night. The Mustangs improved to 13-0-1 with the win and remain perfect in conference play.

The Mustangs’ Bruno Guarda broke the scoreless deadlock in the 12th minute with his third goal of the season. Jeff Harwell assisted Guarda with a centering pass off of a Chase Wileman corner kick.

Just minutes later, the Mustangs added to their lead when Richard Oliva headed in his third goal of the season off of Wileman’s crossing pass. After the Mustangs scored their second goal, the tempo of the game sped up and the Mustangs were unable to score again.

Three yellow cards were handed out during the game, two of which went to SMU. Mustangs Jay Needham and Stephen Grant each earned one while Tulsa’s Jason Aul acquired a yellow card only six minutes into the game.

Coach Schellas Hyndman commended Tulsa’s 3-4-3 defense that tried “to stop flank play and spread the field.” The Golden Hurricanes’ defense gave SMU a look that they haven’t seen too much during this season.

The Mustangs also sped up the temp o when the Mustangs’ “players went for the win” by trying to score a third goal that would have put the game out of reach according to coach Hyndman. This also “hurt offensive production because so many Mustangs counters” stretched the field and took away all of the diagonal balls and runs that allowed the Mustangs to score their first two goals.

In spite of their slower play in the second half, the Mustangs still played a solid game shutting out their 10th team in 14 games. This outstanding defensive play has helped goalkeeper Matt Wideman win C-USA player of the week, for the fourth time in a row. While the SMU defense, anchored by senior Jay Needham, plays a large role in these shutouts, Wideman’s “consistent play and huge heart” facilitates his outstanding personal achievements according to coach Hyndman.

Tulsa always plays hard against the Mustangs because of the rivalry between the two teams. If playing the No. 1 team was not enough motivation for the Golden Hurricanes, the fact that some of Tulsa’s players come from the DFW area and the Mustangs have always been in the same conference as Tulsa gave the Golden Hurricanes the extra motivation to play a close game against one of the best teams in collegiate soccer.

The Mustangs had more shots and shots on goal than the Golden Hurricanes. SMU also committed more fouls than the opposition, but both of these statistics reflect the intensity and toughness that the Mustangs bring to every game.

The Mustangs have the rest of the week off from game play until they travel to Orlando, Fla. to play the University of Central Florida on Saturday. SMU returns to Dallas to face South Carolina Wednesday Oct. 18.