SMU Men Head to New Mexico
Published 9/14/2007 5:33:04 AM by from
The #3 SMU men's soccer team hits the road this weekend, heading to Albuquerque, N.M. to face #10 UC Santa Barbara on Friday and #12 Washington on Sunday, at the NIKE/Crescent Financial Solutions Invitational.
Last Time Out
The Mustangs hosted the SMU Mi Cocina Classic last weekend, beating Virginia, 5-1, and Georgetown, 1-0, bringing their record to 2-0-1 for the season. Junior Bruno Guarda was selected as the Mi Cocina Classic MVP, following his one goal, two assist performances over the tournament field. He was also named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week for his role in the two wins. Following the two wins, SMU jumped from #8 to #3 in the latest Soccermogul Top 30.
Scouting the Opposition
Last season, UCSB handed the Mustangs their first home loss of the season and later knocked SMU out of the 2006 NCAA Tournament in the second round. Now ranked #10, the Gauchos (1-1-1) will look to repeat history against SMU Friday. The Gauchos recorded their first win over Wisconsin-Milwaukee last week. Prior to their win, the Gauchos dropped a game to Gonzaga and tied Stanford in double-overtime.
Washington (1-1-1) is coming off its first loss of the season at the hands of Gonzaga last week. This weekend marks the first ranked opponents the Huskies face this season. Senior Kevin Forrest leads the Huskies with three goals and one assist this season, while fellow senior forward Ely Allen has notched two more goals. Forrest is currently ranked sixth in the country in goals per game and is tied for 11th in points per game.
Take Me to Your Leader
Head coach Schellas Hyndman is in his 24th year of coaching the Mustangs. His 454 total victories rank him second in the nation among active coaches. His 356 wins with the Mustangs make him the winningest coach in SMU soccer history. Under his tutelage, the Mustangs have never won fewer than 10 games a season.
Watching, Waiting
Guarda was named to the 2007 Hermann Trophy Watch List. Last season, Guarda was a third-team NSCAA All-America pick, and was chosen as C-USA's Player of the Year. Guarda was a Hermann Trophy semi-finalist in 2006.
Preseason Favorites
The SMU men's soccer team was chosen as the preseason favorites to win the Conference USA title. The Mustangs took the title last season and look to repeat this season. Guarda and senior defender Adrian Chevannes were named to the Preseason All-Conference team. Guarda was also selected as the Conference Preseason Offensive Player of the Year. The Mustangs take on UCSB Friday at 6 p.m. at the NIKE/Crescent Financial Solutions Invitational hosted by New Mexico. SMU then faces Washington Sunday at 1 p.m
SMU soccer, New Mexico soccer, SMU mens soccer, Bruno Guarda, Kevin Forrest, Adrian Chevannes, Washington soccer
Label: SMU soccer, New Mexico soccer, SMU mens soccer, Bruno Guarda, Kevin Forrest, Adrian Chevannes
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