UW Falls In Battle With SMU 2-1

Sunday, September 18

Dallas, Texas

5:00 PM

University of Washington

5-3-1

SMU

6-2-0

Washington

SMU

September 18, 2016 | Women's Soccer

Box Score SMU Final Box

DALLAS – After scoring the first goal of the match, the Washington women's soccer team was unable to hold on to the lead in a tough battle with Southern Methodist University, falling 2-1 at Westcott Field.

"We have to play with more of a 90 minute mentality," said Washington head coach Lesle Gallimore. "We need players to step up and be more impactful more consistently."

The Mustangs high-powered offense began the match with the first three shots of the match, including two that sailed out of bounds and one that was saved by keeper Kaylyn Smith. After pushing the ball up the field on a counter attack, Washington junior Shannon Simon was able to collect the ball at her feet and sneak it past the SMU keeper from about nine yards out, giving UW a 1-0 lead. The goal was Simon's fourth on the season.

"We need to work harder to create goal scoring chances the way we scored our goal," said Gallimore. "Which was moving the ball through quick sharp passes and as a team."

As the first half rolled on, SMU's attack continued to test the Husky defense, taking five shots in the first half compared to UW's three, but Smith and the UW backfield were able to hold their ground.

With the Huskies leading 1-0 as the second half began, SMU continued to apply pressure, grabbing a corner kick nearly a minute after the whistle blew for the start of play. The Mustangs took four shots and six corner kicks to open the second half, before getting a header past the keeper to tie the match 1-1.

In the 68th minute, Ava Lewis sent a great header at the goal which was saved by the SMU keeper, with Becca Schoales sending a shot in a minute later that curved just to the left of the goal. After a foul was called on Washington in the 76th minute just outside the box, Claire Oates touched a ball into the net on a cross minutes later to give the Mustangs the lead.

"This was a game where giving restarts away in our defensive third was going to play into SMU's hands," said Gallimore.

The Huskies were unable to find an equalizer, falling 2-1 on the road in their final non-conference match of the season. SMU took nine shots in the second half, 14 for the game, compared to Washington's eight in total.

"It was a rough weekend for sure, we'll take a day or so to digest and then get back to work and get ready for conference play."

Washington will carry a 5-3-1 record into Pac-12 play next week, as they host Utah on Friday September 23rd at Husky Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.