During Friday’s match against Missouri State, senior defender Diogo de Almeida scored the game’s lone goal, bringing SMU to a 3-1-1 record in C-USA. (Sidney Hollingsworth/ The Daily Campus)
The SMU men’s soccer team beat Missouri State 1-0 Friday night.
“Missouri state every year gives us fits,” Coach Tim McClements said in a post-game interview.
But this time it was the Mustangs who sent the Missouri State home in a fit.
“They are a very, very strong team,” McClements said. “They just beat Craton and they came in here trying to get a victory.”
MSU couldn’t score a single goal Friday night at Wescott Field when SMU defeated the Bears.
The victory lifts the Mustangs’ season record to 9-4-1 as they hold on to their Conference USA mark of 3-1-1.
This was their last non-conference game of the season.
The game started off with both teams battling to place a number on the scoreboard.
However it wasn’t until the 60th minute that either team would see a goal — the game’s only goal.
The game-winner was the result of a Missouri State foul.
SMU’s Ian Kalis stepped in to take the free kick from 28 yards out.
Ready for the rebound, Diogo De Almeida was posted just outside of the six-yard line and deflected Kalis’ shot past the Missouri State goalkeeper into the goal.
The goal was de Almeida’s fourth goal of the season extending his goal-scoring streak to three games.
The starting Brazilian defender has lately been making moves on both flanks of the field. Coach McClements wasn’t surprised.
“We moved him into the back because it was what was best for our team, but you know he’s Brazilian – he doesn’t forget what the net looks like,” McClements said.
While de Almeida has been focusing on getting goals, teammate Jaime Ibarra has been blocking goals them.
This was SMU goalkeeper Ibarra’s third shut out of the season. He also made four stops and intercepted several dangerous crosses in the box for the Mustangs.
This winning game closes the non-conference part of the season for the Mustangs and has set the team off on a good note.
“We’ve done great,” McClements said. “We’ve taken a lot of injuries…players have had to step up. Injuries are opportunities for other players to step in…. Everybody put that little extra effort in.”
Due to injuries, the coaching staff was forced to shift players to unexpected positions or demand more physical activity for more playing time.
The shuffle-up has proved successful.
Senior Ryan Rosenbaum was one of those players who maximized their performance this weekend.
“[He] started and played ninety minutes,” said McClements. “He hadn’t done that I think all year and he really did a great job.”
The Mustangs played a solid game of soccer Friday night and hope to bring that talent to their next tough opponent.
“UAB is always tough,” McClements said reflecting on their next Conference USA match.
University of Alabama is currently receiving votes in polls as second in the conference.
The next game is expected bring out a high level of competition in both teams.
“Their team is very athletic…. We got to get rest and take a day off,” McClements said.
“We’ll train again Sunday, then start preparing again for UAB.”
SMU fans will have to wait until Wednesday to watch SMU take on their Conference USA rival UAB at Wescott Field at 7 p.m.
Besides being the Mustangs’ second-to-last home game, Wednesday is also “Pack the House” night for student-athletes.
