SMU Nets Late Winner to Drop Beach Soccer, 1-0

Sunday, September 15

Dallas, Texas

11:00 A.M. PT

Long Beach State University

2-5-0, 0-0-0

SMU

6-1-0, 0-0-0

Long Beach State

SMU

Photo by: John Fajardo

9/15/2019 1:26:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Long Beach State nearly pulled out a point on the road on Sunday afternoon, but the host Mustangs broke through the Beach defense with just under six minutes to play to earn a 1-0 victory in Dallas.

By: Tyler Hendrickson, Associate Athletic Communications Director

DALLAS – The Beach defense nearly held for the full 90 minutes on Sunday afternoon in Texas, but SMU (6-1-0) was able to score in the 85^th minute to pull out a 1-0 victory over Long Beach State (2-5-0) at Westcott Field.

Sierra Castles had a pair of shots to lead the Beach, with Kayla Cannon collecting a shot on goal for LBSU. In the defensive battle, junior goalkeeper Marta Alemany Sanchez made five saves for the Beach.

In the opening half, Long Beach State took two of the first three shots of the game. At the 36-minute mark, the Beach had consecutive shot attempts from Charlotte Guillory and Cannon, who had her attempt saved by the SMU keeper.

SMU brought the pressure against the LBSU back line in the second half, hitting the crossbar in the 81^st minute. Alemany Sanchez also made a key stop on a free kick from a dangerous area, collecting one of her three second-half saves. The Mustangs broke through with a quick chance generated by a long through pass from Celiana Torres to set up Allie Thornton with a look at goal. The SMU forward fired a low shot from just outside the 18-yard box, sneaking it past the outstretched arm of Alemany Sanchez in goal.

The Beach will be back home on Thursday next week, hosting UCF at 7 p.m. for LBSU's only match of the week. The scheduled road match with San Diego State on Sunday, Sept. 22 was cancelled earlier in the week.