SMU had a way back into Sunday’s match for most of the second half. The Mustangs cut Virginia’s lead to 2–1 immediately after halftime, only for three late goals to leave them with a 5–1 loss at Washburne Stadium on October 11.
The defeat was SMU’s first at home this season and ended a nine-match home unbeaten run. The Mustangs are 5–5–4 overall and 0–4–2 in ACC play.
Kaylee Noble scored 37 seconds into the second half from a Kamiya Beck assist. Earlier, goalkeeper Aubrey Brown had stopped a penalty to keep the halftime deficit at two goals.
SMU later hit the crossbar while the match was still 2–1. Virginia’s penalty at 81:52 changed the afternoon, and the visitors added goals at 83:20 and 87:24.
The final margin hides how long an equalizer remained possible. It also underlines the cost of the closing stretch: SMU went from chasing one goal to absorbing three in less than six minutes.
