Wednesday, September 29
No. 7/4 Tulsa 2, No. 12/6 SMU 1 (2OT)
In a match pitting the last final unbeaten teams in the conference, No. 7/4 Tulsa outlasted No. 12/6 SMU 2-1 in an instant classic that took two overtimes to move to 8-0-0 on the season and 3-0-0 in American play. The Golden Hurricane outshot the Mustangs 19-16 in a high volume contest, with SMU forced to play the final five minutes of the second overtime with 10 men following a second yellow card.
Papa Ndoye kicked off the scoring at 15:50 of the first half, connecting with a header on the other end of a looping Gabriel Costa cross for his fifth goal of the year and a 1-0 SMU lead. Reigning American Offensive Player of the Year Alex Meinhard got in on the act later in the first half for Tulsa, depositing a Rooks Hunter feed with his head at the far post for his sixth of the season and a 1-1 tie at 34:53. Meinhard then buried the match-winner on a rebound from a Tom Protzek shot to beat the final whistle at 109:53.
UCF 3, South Florida 2
UCF extended its unbeaten league start to 3-0-0 with a 3-2 midweek win at rival South Florida. The Knights outshot Bulls 15-10 in he match, although USF held a 9-8 advantage in the second half.
Ariel Hadar picked up his first two goals of the season, connecting at 39:41 and 47:40 for the 2-0 UCF lead. Oscar Resano responded for USF with his second goal of the season to trim the deficit to 2-1 at 48:52. Lucca Dourado continued his torrid start with his league-high ninth goal of the year to push UCF ahead 3-1 at 51:32. Victor Claudel capped the scoring with a USF tally at 85:10 to close the final score line.
Memphis 2, Temple 0
Memphis earned its first league decision of the season with a convincing 2-0 performance at Temple. The Tigers outshot the Owls 17-7 and struck quickly with two first-half goals.
Toby McCallum cashed in his second goal of the season to vault Memphis in front just 3:48 into the contest at 1-0. Maximillian Galizzi then gathered in a McCallum assist and buried an insurance goal for the Tigers at 19:19.