Sept. 10, 2017

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (SMU) – Philip Ponder first career goal couldn’t have come at a better time as he scored the game-winning goal in the 86th minute to give SMU a 1-0 victory against Santa Clara Saturday night at Stevens Stadium.

With the win, SMU improved to 4-1-0 on the season, while Santa Clara fell to 0-5-0. It was the Mustangs first win against the Broncos since 1994 and just their second win in the series.

MAC Hermann Trophy candidate Mauro Cichero headed a corner kick to Garret McLaughlin on the left side of the post, who found Ponder inside the box for the score. It was McLaughlin’s first assist of the season.

The Mustangs held Santa Clara to six shots and two shots on goal. SMU held the advantage on corner kicks with five, while Santa Clara recorded three. Ponder and Cichero both put one on frame.

Four different Mustangs recorded shots, led by Cichero with three attempts, while Ponder, Christian Boorom and Nicky Hernandez each tallied one apiece.   

Goalkeeper Michael Nelson recorded two saves in the win and registered his second shutout of the season and his 19th of his career.

After a pair of road matches, SMU returns home to host Loyola (MD) on Friday, Sept. 15, before facing Brown on Sunday, Sept. 17.

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