Box Score (PDF)

August 25, 2017

DALLAS (SMU) – Senior forward Mauro Cicherorecorded his first career hat trick to lead SMU to a thrilling 3-2 victory Friday night in the season opener against UC Davis.

"It was a fantastic performance," head coach Kevin Hudson said. "Mauro knows the responsibility that is on his shoulders and he knows the end goal for him is that this team has a very successful year if he leads us to a lot of victories."

Cichero shouldered the load for the Mustangs as he recorded his third goal of the night with a header in the 89th minute giving the SMU the lead after trailing late in the second period. Classmate Jared Rice was credited with the assist helping SMU improve to 2-0 all-time against the Aggies.

UC Davis struck early and often in the second period tallying two goals in the 60th and 63rd minute, which gave the Aggies a 2-1 lead.  

Cichero came on strong in the last five minutes as he picked up his second goal of the night in the 86th minute to tie the match at 2-2. After a foul on UC Davis, SMU was rewarded with a penalty kick that Cichero drilled past the keeper.

The Norman, Oklahoma, native first goal of the night came on a free kick 25 yards out in the 37th minute to get the Mustangs on the board.

SMU outshot UC Davis, 15-12, including six shot on goals compared to the Aggies two.  The Mustangs only committed five fouls, while the Aggies racked up 22.

"We had some very talented players who had excellent games as well." Hudson said. "We had some young players who were fantastic and some seniors that were great. Mauro was excellent, but we have a lot of good players."

SMU will host the SMU Tournament, which runs Sept. 1 and Sept. 3. The Mustangs open the tournament with Oakland on Friday, Sept. 1 at 7:30 p.m., before taking on Cornell Sunday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. Both matches will be aired on PonyUp TV, with Steve Lansdale making the call. Live stats are also provided on SMUMustangs.com.

Keep up with all the latest news and information on the Mustangs by following the SMU Men's Soccer Team on Twitter at @SMUSoccerM, on Facebook at Facebook.com/SMUSoccerM, and on Instagram at Instagram.com/SMU_MSOC. Follow SMU Athletics on Twitter at @SMUMustangs or Instagram at SMU.Mustangs.

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