SMU Women’s Soccer Ready For Final C-USA Season
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DALLAS (SMU) – 2013 will bring new challenges to SMU as the school transitions to the Big East Conference for all competitive sports. The Mustangs would love to leave the Conference USA in impressive fashion.
Last season, SMU finished 11-8-1 (7-3-1), which was good for fourth in the conference. Now, with former National Coach of the Year Chris Petrucelli at the helm, along with a solid blend of experience and youth on the roster, expectations to improve exist. However, SMU was selected to again finish fourth in the conference in the Preseason C-USA coaches poll.
“I think we’re starting to find out what they’re capable of,” Petrucelli said. “They’re gritty and determined. We have qualities that make you believe we can have success.”
Returning from last season are eight starters, including Preseason All-C-USA midfielder Mallory Baum.
“Mallory is dangerous from outside the box,” Petrucelli said. “She going to have to live up to expectations.”
As for the other seniors, the coaching staff realizes their importance.
“If you’re going to be successful, your seniors have to have good seasons,” Petrucelli said. “They give us a chance to have some success.”
Petrucelli pointed out that health is a factor in long-term success as well, noting
that both Olivia Elliott and Shelby Redmanare now at full strength.
Seven freshmen have joined the roster, and Petrucelli acknowledges their role on the team.
“We’re going to need them,” he said. “They’ve gotten better every day. I think they’re all good athletes.”
The Mustangs’ schedule doesn’t do them any favors; a tough blend of top-notch non-conference and C-USA foes will test SMU.
“Every weekend we’re going to be challenged,” Petrucelli said. “We’ll have to be good. But all high-level athletes want to play good teams.”
SMU opens the season with a road tilt at San Diego State on Friday, before kicking off the home schedule with games against Oral Roberts (Aug. 24) and Arkansas (Aug. 26).
Petrucelli leads the Mustangs into Austin, Texas, for the Longhorn Invitational over Labor Day weekend, where SMU faces New Mexico Aug. 31 and Virginia Sept. 2. Both schools made the NCAA Tournament last season, with the Lobos falling in the first round and the Cavaliers advancing to the Elite Eight.
“Every game we play in we go in with the expectation to win,” Petrucelli said of the tough matchups. “It’ll be good to see how we stack up.”
SMU travels to crosstown-rival TCU on Sept. 7. The Ponies close out non-conference play with a pair of matches against Big 12 opponents, playing at Baylor on Sept. 14 and against Oklahoma at Westcott Field on Sept. 16.
League play begins in Houston with games at Houston (Sept. 21) and Rice (Sept. 23). The following weekend, UTEP and Colorado College head to the Hilltop for games Sept. 28 and 30, respectively. SMU takes a four-game road trip, highlighted by a game at UCF on Oct. 7, as the Knights advanced to the Elite Eight in last year’s NCAA Tournament. The Mustangs wrap up the home portion of the schedule with games against UAB (Oct. 19) and Memphis (Oct. 21). The Tigers are the defending regular season and conference tournament champions. The season concludes at Tulsa on Oct. 26.
The Conference USA Championship will be held Oct. 31 – Nov. 4 in El Paso, Texas.
