On Senior Night inside Washburne Stadium, the SMU Mustangs faced a formidable opponent in No. 9 Stanford. Although SMU struck first with an early goal, the Cardinal’s persistence led to a 2-1 comeback victory. This loss snapped the Mustangs’ momentum as they looked to build on their solid season.
The match opened with a moment of excitement as Eliana Salama continued her standout season by netting her seventh goal. Assisted by Lydia Ungashick and Mackenzie Rudden, Salama managed to send the ball through the legs of Stanford defender Nya Rose, giving SMU an early lead. For Ungashick, this was her first assist of the season, while Rudden added her second.
Despite SMU’s strong start, Stanford responded swiftly. In the 30th minute, Andrea Kitahata found space in the box and scored the equalizer for the Cardinal, tying the match at 1-1 just before halftime.
The second half saw a significant shift in momentum. Stanford came out firing, dominating possession and outshooting SMU 14-2. The relentless pressure paid off in the 55th minute when Charlotte Kohler scored the decisive goal, capitalizing on a loose ball after a cross from Allie Montoya. Kohler’s goal was her third of the season and a game-winner that proved to be enough to secure the victory for the Cardinal.
SMU goalkeeper Sierra Cota-Yarde was a standout performer despite the loss. She made several crucial saves, especially in the second half, finishing the game with eight saves. Her efforts kept the Mustangs within striking distance, but Stanford’s offensive pressure ultimately proved too much.
For SMU, the game was about more than just the scoreline. Five seniors—Mackenzie Rudden, Sophie King, Layla Garcia-Moreno, Abby Hampton, and Sierra Cota-Yarde—were honored for their contributions to the program after the match. It was a bittersweet moment as the team celebrated the careers of these key players, even in the face of a hard-fought defeat.
The Mustangs, now sitting at 6-5-2 on the season, are still in the thick of their conference schedule. Though this loss stung, SMU has shown resilience throughout the season, becoming only the fifth team to score on Stanford this year. The challenge now will be to rebound and finish the season strong.
Meanwhile, Stanford continues its impressive campaign, improving to 11-1-1 on the season. With crucial matchups against Duke and North Carolina on the horizon, the Cardinal is showing why they’re a top-10 team, with a relentless offense and solid defense that’s tough to crack.
As SMU heads into the final stretch of the season, they’ll look to build on their solid foundation and make a push for postseason success, while Stanford gears up for pivotal conference matches that will shape their path in the ACC.
