Box Score
DALLAS, TX— The Winthrop men's soccer team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in history as Enrique Miranda made three saves to lead the Eagles over Southern Methodist 3-1 in penalties, Thursday night at Westcott Field.

The two teams were deadlock at 1-1 after two overtimes as Winthrop once again scored a late goal to force the extra time. The Eagles are now 12-8-2 on the year and 6-0-2 in overtime games while SMU is now 10-5-5.

Miranda, who had been through a penalty shootout in the post season twice as a freshman, looked like a calm veteran as he turned away three attempts with the last one clinching the Eagles spot in the next round. It wasn't just the shootout where Miranda came up big as he turned away several good chances by the Mustangs.

Trailing 1-0 late in the game, the Eagles continued to press and made another dramatic comeback as they were able find a way to tie the match. The Eagles were awarded a throw-in and moved everyone into the box as Josh Mort launched the ball into the box. The ball was flicked into the box and found its way to the feet of Marc Segarra who hit a shot that was redirected toward goal and an SMU defender cleared it off the line but as he cleared it Achille Obougou jumped in front of the ball and it hit off his leg and back into the net. The goal came in the 88^th minute and was Obougou's seventh goal of the season.

The teams were tied 0-0 at the half in thanks in part to Miranda's good timing and positioning. However, SMU struck early in the second half as Eddie Puskarich hammered home a shot from eight yards out straight on off a square pass from Juan Castillo for the 1-0 lead in the 48^th minute.

During the second half, Winthrop had a couple of good chances set up as Obougou and Alex Isern each held off defenders to create some space heading to goal for a one-on-one off through balls but SMU defenders were able to make last second tackles to prevent an shot as Obougou and Isern entered the 18-yard box.

Segarra nearly ended the game in the first overtime as he collected a pass with his back to goal at the top of the box, turned and fired a shot to the left corner that smacked off the post and back out as the SMU defense cleared the ball away.

Winthrop is now 0-3-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament as it avenged its loss in penalties at Old Dominion in 2006 when the Eagles were two goals up in the shootout.

Miranda finished with six saves and his counterpart Jaime Ibarra also finished with six saves. SMU finished with a 23-15 advantage in shots, but had a huge advantage in corner kicks with 18 to the Eagles five.

Miranda seemed confident heading to the shootout as did the Winthrop kickers despite facing Ibarra, who was the 2012 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. Alex Isern stepped up and made his shot and Miranda turned away the first attempt from SMU's John Lujano. The door opened back up for SMU after Obougou's attempt missed the frame but Miranda came up with another save. Jordi Lluch made his kick for the Eagles to go up 2-0 and Andrew Morales scored for SMU for a 2-1 Eagles lead. Mort stepped up and ripped his shot into the net setting the stage for Miranda to make a save and he did.

Miranda was in goal for the Eagles when they advanced through the quarterfinals and semifinals of the 2009 Big South Conference Tournament on penaltiy kicks to help capture the championship.

Winthrop will now travel to Louisville, KY to take on the Cardinals, which earned a national seed of 10th and a first round bye. That game will take place on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 7 p.m.