SMU rolls in pair of home wins on the weekend
Published 9/14/2008 5:43:28 AM by staff from dallas
The SMU mens soccer team was in fine form as they opened their home season with victories over Oakland and George Mason to claim the first Prego's Express Italian Men's Soccer Invitational in Dallas. Friday night's match with George Mason was decided early as Manuel Mariel scored in the 4th minute of play. Paulo da Silva and Diego de Almeida scored 2nd half goals for the 3-0 margin. Saturday provided a test from an undefeated Oakland squad that had upset aspirations, Paulo da Silva would have other plans as he notched a pair of goals in a 3-1 SMU win. The Mustangs got on the scoreboard shortly before halftime. Sophomore forward Dane Saintus dribbled into the right side of the penalty box and sent a crossing pass that bounced off Oakland goalkeeper Steve Clark to freshman Payton Hickey, who drilled home the first goal of his college career in the 41st minute. Fellow freshman Joe Cooper also scored his first collegiate goal, when he collected a rebound off a shot by senior midfielder Gabe Arredondo and scored in the 55th minute. Oakland pulled to within a goal in the 70th minute when Martin Sandell hit a shot from point-blank range inside the left post, but the Mustangs responded immediately, when da Silva poked in a pass from sophomore defender Leone Cruz just 23 seconds after Oakland's goal. SMU, currently ranked 5th in the Soccermogul Top 30 poll, look to move higher with the 2 wins.
Label: SMU mens soccer, Oakland soccer, Paulo da Silva, Joe Cooper, Payton Hickey, Diego de Almeida
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