A Narrow Defeat in Dallas
Friday night at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium, the No.5-ranked SMU Mustangs traveled to face the Lions of Loyola Marymount University. The match, played under bright stadium lights, ended in a 2–0 victory for SMU, extending LMU’s season without a win against a top‑five opponent.
The first goal arrived in the 38th minute when Nick Harshaw received a precise pass from Ryder Balch and struck the ball past LMU’s keeper. The early strike set the tone for SMU, who controlled possession for much of the first half.
LMU answered with a flurry of attempts in the 28th minute, as Samir‑Mohamed Djeha and Adrian Alvarez each fired shots that missed the target. Despite creating several chances, the Lions could not find the back of the net, leaving the score unchanged at halftime.
SMU doubled their lead in the 58th minute when Joseluis Villagomez capitalized on a defensive lapse, slotting the ball into the net at 58:41. The goal shifted momentum firmly in SMU’s favor, forcing LMU to chase the game.
Lions goalkeeper Ky Mani Dade faced a barrage of 20 shots throughout the contest, making three solid saves but ultimately unable to stop SMU’s relentless attack. His efforts kept the deficit manageable, but the Mustangs’ second goal proved decisive.
Looking ahead, LMU will host UNLV on Wednesday, September 2, at 7 p.m. at Sullivan Field in Los Angeles. The upcoming match offers the Lions a chance to regroup and aim for a fresh start after a challenging performance against a ranked opponent.