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Box Score 2
PEORIA, Ill. -- SMU reserve forward Robbie Derschang scored a pair of late goals, including the winner in the 84th minute, lifting the 18th-ranked Mustangs (7-0-0) to a 3-1 victory at Bradley (3-3-1) in the final game of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium. Coupled with its 3-2, overtime win against #14 Creighton Friday night, SMU claimed the tournament title.
For the second time in a row, Bradley could not hold onto an early lead. On Sunday, junior forward Christian Meza put the Braves on top in the 17th minute, when he and SMU keeper Craig Hill collided at the left edge of the penalty area chasing down a punt from Bradley keeper Brian Billings. When the ball popped away from Hill, Meza was able to convert a tough-angled shot inside the right post for the 1-0 lead at 16:49.
SMU got the equalizer in the 40th minute when the Mustangs made a run down the right flank and Juan Castillo was left alone at the far post. He finished into the open net for his sixth goal of the season.
It appeared Bradley might gain an advantage when Hill took out Bradley freshman forward Ross Williams on a breakaway just outside the top of the penalty area in the 58th minute. Hill was given only a caution, however, and freshman forward Wojciech Wojcik sent the resulting 20-yard free kick over the top of the goal.
The teams remained in a deadlock until Castillo and Derschang executed a perfect give-and-go sequence at the top left corner of the penalty area, freeing Dershcang for the go-ahead goal at 83:56. He knocked home the insurance goal at 86:13 on a rolling service from T.J. Nelson across the mouth of the Bradley goal to the left post.
In Sunday's first game, Creighton took advantage of a man advantage to earn a 3-2 victory versus Dartmouth in overtime. In a game that saw the teams score in alternating fashion, the 14th-ranked Bluejays got the winner in the 97th minute when Jose Gomez headed home the winner from five yards out.
Bradley will complete a three-game home stand when the Braves host instate rival Northern Illinois at 7 p.m. Friday at Shea Stadium.
2010 Hotels at Grand Prairie Tournament Summary
1) SMU (2-0-0)
2) Creighton (1-1-0, beat Dartmouth head-to-head)
3) Dartmouth (1-1-0)
4) Bradley (0-2-0)
All-Tournament Team
SMU: Juan Castillo (MVP), Robbie Derschang, Kekoa Osorio, Josue Soto
Creighton: Ethan Finlay, Jose Gomez, Greg Jordan
Dartmouth: Bryan Guidicelli, Colin Skelly
Bradley: Tommy Fritze, Aodhan Quinn