It was a close one, but the Lady Mustangs’ high-octane offense was held in check for the second straight game as Rutgers outlasted SMU to escape with a 1-0 win on Sunday afternoon.

The loss marks the third time this season that SMU has been shut out. The troubling truth behind that stat is that five of the Mustangs last six matches have been decided by one goal. During that span, SMU is 2-4.

SMU’s record is now 7-7-0 (2-4-0 American Athletic Conference).

Courtney Smith who had two goals in the 2-1 win over Cincinnati a week ago, had a free kick opportunity in the last two minutes just to the right of the box. Smith’s shot came close to tying the score but rebounded to teammate Rikki Clarke. Clarke managed to control the rebound and take a second shot at the equalizer, but Rutgers goalie Jessica Janosz made the save.

Rutgers put the pressure on SMU early; less than two minutes in, Erica Skroski put the Scarlet Knights up by one after securing a loose ball and shooting past SMU keeper Lauryn Bodden.

“We didn’t start the way we wanted to,” Head Coach Chris Petrucelli said. “I think it woke us up and we played better after that.”

In the 84th minute, Clarke had another opportunity to tie the game with a quick shot that just sailed a little too high.

“If we play with the kind of effort we played with for most of the game we can win any game we’re in,” Petrucelli said.

With losses to Rutgers and Memphis, it is the first time since early last season that SMU has lost consecutive games.

SMU will begin a three-game home stand with a match against Houston on Friday at 7 p.m. CT. at Wescott Field.