Nov. 22, 2017
SMU (17-2-1) returns to the pitch to face North Carolina (15-3-1) in the third round of the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship Saturday at 5 p.m. CT at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina.

The Mustangs finished the regular season ranked No. 10 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and is making its 23rd appearance in the third round and second in the last three seasons (2015, 2017).

The Tar Heels are the No. 3 seed and finished the regular season ranked No. 7. This is the ninth time in the last 10 years that North Carolina will be playing in the third round.

The match will streamed live on ESPN3 and can be viewed on the WatchESPN and the ESPN app.

The Mustangs defeated Central Arkansas, 2-0, on Nov. 16 in the first round before knocking off No. 11 Georgetown, 2-1, on Nov. 19 in double overtime in Washington, D.C. With both wins, head coach Kevin Hudson is 4-1 in NCAA Tournament games.

The Mustangs are the first team to ever win both the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles in the same year. The win gave SMU its first conference tournament title since 2011 and the first under Hudson.

SMU is on a 12-match unbeaten streak and is perfect on the season at Westcott Field at 13-0. SMU has 12 shutouts on the season, while the defense has only allowed 11 goals.

QUICK KICKS
- Head Coach Kevin Hudson has a 38-14-6 (.707) record on the Hilltop, including a 4-1 mark (.800) in NCAA Tournament games.
- SMU is making its 31st appearance in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship and first since 2015.
- SMU's NCAA Men's Soccer Championship record is 35-23-8 (.591).
- SMU improved to 17-2-1 after recording a 2-0 victory against Central Arkansas on Nov. 16 and a 2-1 double overtime win at No. 11 Georgetown on Nov. 19.
- SMU has tied the school record for wins at home in a season with 13. The Mustangs are 13-0 at home.
- Mustangs had seven consecutive shutouts from Oct. 10 – Nov. 10 (School record is 10 – 1980).
- Jordan Cano has scored three goals in the Mustangs last four matches.
- Emil Cuello was named the American Men's Soccer Championship Most Outstanding Player.
- Cano was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the American Men's Soccer Championship.
- Six Mustangs were named to the All-Tournament team. Cuello, Cano, Bryce Clark, Nicky Hernandez, Michael Nelson and Jared Rice.
- SMU is No. 10 in the latest United Soccer Coaches' Poll.
- SMU is one of four teams in NCAA Division I with at least 17 wins.
- SMU leads the conference in points (6.20), goals (2.05), shots (13.85), and assists per game (2.10).
- The Mustangs' 42 total assists lead The American and is 10th in the NCAA.
- SMU leads the conference in goals with 41 and tied for 10th in the NCAA.
- McLaughlin leads the conference in points with 31 (14 goals, 3 assists) and is tied for ninth in the NCAA.
- McLaughlin is tied for ninth in the NCAA in goals with 14.
- McLaughlin is one of 10 players in NCAA Division I that has scored at least 14 goals.
- McLaughlin has 18 career goals in 36 games, including 14 in 2017.
- McLaughlin's eight game-winners lead the nation.
- Mauro Cichero is third in the league in points with 25 (9 goals, 7 assists).
- Cichero has 24 career goals, including 10 game-winners.
- Nelson leads the conference in shutouts (10), which is tied for ninth in the NCAA. He has 27 in his career.
- DJ Williams game-winning goal against UCF (Sept. 29) was his first tally of the season and second of his career.
- Philip Ponder's game-winning goal against Santa Clara (Sept. 10) was his first career goal.
- 13 Mustangs have scored this year: McLaughlin (13), Cichero (9), Cano (2), Cuello (2), Ponder (1), Williams (1), Christian Boorom (1), Jacob Cohen (1), Colten Habecker (1), Nicky Hernandez (1), Talen Maples (1), Jared Rice (1) and Garrett Welch (1).
- Cichero was joined by Cano, McLaughlin and Nelson on the preseason all-conference team.
- Cichero earned preseason Top Drawer Soccer Best XI honor.
- Nelson was named The American Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
- Cichero was named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and Top Drawer Soccer Best XI.
- McLaughlin was the 2016 American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year.
- Cano and Cichero were named all-conference second team last year.

SMU AT THE NCAA MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
It is the 31st postseason appearance for SMU, posting an overall record of 35-23-8 (.591) after wins against Central Arkansas and No. 11 Georgetown in the first and second rounds, respectively. The Mustangs have reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament 23 times. SMU has also made two College Cup appearances in 2000 and 2005. SMU has made the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship in 19 of the past 24 years.

SMU RANKS NO. 10 IN LATEST UNITED SOCCER COACHES POLL (Nov. 14, 2017)
The SMU men's soccer is ranked No. 10 in the latest United Soccer Coaches Poll. SMU moved up one spot after winning the American Men's Soccer Championship last week. The Mustangs are No. 17 in the RPI with a 10-2-1 record against the Top 100.

UNITED SOCCER COACHES NCAA DIVISION I MEN – NATIONAL – POLL 12 (Nov. 14, 2017)

Rank	School	1st Votes	Total Points	Prev.
1	Wake Forest	20	595	1
2	Indiana	2	570	2
3	Stanford	2	547	3
4	Akron	0	519	7
5	Clemson	0	469	5
6	Western Michigan	0	447	4
7	North Carolina	0	428	6
8	Virginia	0	416	17
9	Louisville	0	399	9
10	SMU	0	378	11
11	Georgetown	0	342	18
12	Notre Dame	0	305	13
13	FIU	0	299	8
14	Duke	0	271	16
15	Michigan State	0	240	14
16	Michigan	0	236	10
17	Dartmouth	0	232	19
18	Air Force	0	202	12
19	Butler	0	196	15
20	Wisconsin	0	175	RV
21	California	0	112	22
22	VCU	0	78	24
23	Seattle	0	63	23
24	Massachusetts	0	54	RV
25	Old Dominion	0	44	NR

Also receiving votes: Washington (31), Coastal Carolina (31), Columbia (30), New Hampshire (24), North Carolina State (23), William & Mary (14), Albany (13), Fairfield (8), Maryland (6), Pacific (3)

17 - RPI
The Mustangs are No. 17 in the RPI (through Nov. 12) with a 10-2-1 record against the top 100.

RPI	Opponent	Date	Result
11	at No. 1 Stanford	Sept. 7, 2017	L, 3-1
44	at USF	Oct. 29, 2017	T, 0-0 (2 OT)
53	UCF	Sept. 29, 2017	W, 2-1
53	UCF	Nov. 12, 2017	W, 2-1 (OT)
59	Loyola (Md.)	Sept. 15, 2017	W, 4-0
61	UC Davis	Aug. 25, 2017	W, 3-2
64	at Tulsa	Sept. 24, 2017	L, 1-0 (OT)
71	Brown	Sept. 17, 2017	W, 1-0
86	Oakland	Sept. 1, 2017	W, 2-1
88	at Temple	Oct. 7, 2017	W, 6-0
88	Temple	Nov. 10, 2017	W, 4-0
90	UConn	Nov. 4, 2017	W, 1-0
100	Cincinnati	Oct. 21, 2017	W, 2-0

LAST TIME OUT – MUSTANGS ADVANCE TO THE NCAA MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP THIRD ROUND (Nov. 19, 2017)
An own goal in the 110th minute proved to be the game-winner as the No. 10 SMU men's soccer team defeated No. 11 Georgetown, 2-1, in double overtime at Shaw Field.

ABOUT SMU (AMERICAN)
SMU is led by head coach Kevin Hudson, who led the Mustangs to its first conference tournament title since 2011. The Mustangs became the first team to ever win both the American regular season and tournament titles in the same year. SMU won both regular season and conference titles for the first time since 2006 (Conference USA).The Mustangs have been sharing the ball on the offensive end with 42 total assists, which leads The American and tied for 12th in the NCAA. Garrett McLaughlin and Mauro Cichero rank first and third in the league in points with 31 (14 goals, 3 assists) and 25 (9 goals, 7 assists), respectively. The Mustangs were selected to finish fifth in the preseason poll of The American, a league that sent two teams (Tulsa, USF) to the 2016 NCAA Tournament. SMU is the only team in The American with double-digit wins and is the only team in the conference ranked in the United Coaches Poll. The Mustangs remain undefeated on the Hilltop this season with a 13-0 record at home. SMU went 6-9-1 overall and 2-4-1 in conference play in 2016.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA (ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE)
North Carolina is the No. 3 seed in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship, which marks the seventh time in the last nine years the Tar Heels have been a top-16 seed. North Carolina will be making its 17th appearance in the last 18 seasons in the NCAA Tournament. UNC is tied for second nationally with 49 goals and third with an average of 2.58 goals per game. The Tar Heels have 14 different goal scorers this season. Cam Lindley was named ACC Midfielder of the Year. Senior Zach Wright leads the team with 10 assists. Goalkeeper James Pyle ranks fifth nationally in save percentage (.806) and third in goals against average (.605).

SMU-NORTH CAROLINA SERIES HISTORY
SMU and North Carolina meet for just the third time with the advancing team of the previous two matches earning a berth into the NCAA Men's College Cup. The Mustangs defeated the Tar Heels, 3-2, in 2005 in double overtime in Chapel Hill. The two storied programs faced off again nearly five years later in 2010 when the Tar Heels advanced 4-2 on penalty kicks after both teams ended regulation tied 1-1.

LAST TIME AGAINST NORTH CAROLINA (T, 1-1 at North Carolina on Dec. 3, 2010)
The No. 5 seed SMU men's soccer team fell in penalty kicks, after tying UNC 1-1 in the NCAA quarterfinals. Arthur Ivo scored for the Mustangs. SMU finishes the season with a 16-2-2 record.

NORTH CAROLINA 1-0-1
H: 0-0, A: 1-0-1, N: 0-0

2005	D4	A#	W (2 OT)	3-2 (4)
2010	D3	A#	T (2 OT)	1-1 (4)

(-) Ranking
# NCAA Men's Soccer Championship

DMN SPORTSDAY: WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN SMU MEN'S SOCCER NCAA TOURNAMENT MATCHUP WITH NORTH CAROLINA (Nov. 21, 2017)
SMU men's soccer will face No. 3 seed North Carolina in the third round of the NCAA tournament on Saturday at 5 p.m. SportsDay spoke with head coach Kevin Hudson in preparation for the game.

DMN SPORTSDAY: SMU MEN'S WINS AMERICAN CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT TITLE IN OVERTIME (Nov. 12, 2017)
SMU men's soccer won a thriller in the American Conference tournament championship game, with Emil Cuello striking a 30-yard goal in overtime to give the Mustangs a 2-1 win.

MUSTANG TRIO EARNS FINAL AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WEEKLY AWARDS (Nov. 6, 2017)
After No. 13 SMU defeated Connecticut last week to win the American Athletic Conference regular-season title, Garrett McLaughlin, Michael Nelson and Jordan Cano garnered final conference weekly honors. McLaughlin was named Offensive Player of the Week, Cano was picked as the Defensive Player of the Week, while Nelson earned Goalkeeper of the Week.

NELSON NAMED TO THE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (Oct. 31, 2017)
Michael Nelson was selected to the American Athletic Conference weekly honor roll. He posted his third shutout in league play and made seven saves in a 0-0 draw at USF.

CANO, NELSON EARN AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WEEKLY AWARDS (Oct. 23, 2017)
Jordan Cano and Michael Nelson earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week and Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively. Cano nabbed his second weekly award of the season and third of his career. The Frisco, Texas, native led the Mustangs backline to two shutout victories against Oral Roberts and at Cincinnati. Cano is third on the team in assists with four. Nelson earns back-to-back American Goalkeeper of the Week honors after recording two shutouts and posting two wins in an undefeated week for No. 14 SMU. The senior played every minute in goal last week and made three saves while posting a 1.000 save percentage with no goals allowed (0.00 GAA). McLaughlin picks up his third weekly honor roll accolade after scoring eight points (4 goals) last week, including two at Cincinnati. He has now recorded multiple goals in three of the Mustangs last four matches. McLaughlin leads the team in points (26), goals (12) and game-winners (6).

NELSON NAMED AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE GOALKEEPER OF THE WEEK (Oct. 16, 2017)
Michael Nelson was named the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week, while Mauro Cichero and Talen Maples were selected to the weekly honor roll. Nelson racked up seven saves to lead No. 17 SMU to two shutout victories last week. The two-time American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year collected three saves in the Mustangs 6-0 win Tuesday against Northeastern. Nelson closed out the week with four saves to pick up his fifth shutout of the season in SMU's 1-0 double overtime victory Saturday against Memphis. Nelson has 34 saves this season and is sporting a 0.74 goals-against-average with a .791 save percentage. It is his first weekly award of the year and his first since Nov. 2, 2015.

CICHERO AND RICE NAMED TO THE AMERICAN WEEKLY HONOR ROLL (Oct. 9, 2017)
Mauro Cichero and Jared Rice were named to the American Athletic Conference weekly honor roll. Cichero picks up his second weekly honor after heading in the game-winner in a 2-1 victory at Temple. The MAC Hermann Trophy candidate was named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Week after recording his first career hat trick against UC Davis (Aug. 25) in the season opener. Cichero tallied his sixth goal of the season against the Owls off a cross from the left wing from Emil Cuello. The Norman, Oklahoma, native now has 21 career goals, including nine game-winners. He is tied for the conference lead in points (16) and is tied for second goals (6). Rice earned his second consecutive weekly honor after being named The American Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 2. He recorded his first goal of the season at Temple after drilling a shot from 30-yards out to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead.  He is tied for the team lead in assists (4) and is third in points (6).

TWO MUSTANGS GARNER AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WEEKLY HONORS (Oct. 2, 2017)
Jared Rice was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, while DJ Williams was selected to the weekly honor roll. Rice picked up his second career weekly award after leading the Mustangs backline to a 2-1 victory last weekend against UCF. He was credited with his fourth assist of the season when he launched a perfect cross from the far wing to Williams for the game-winning goal in the 75th minute. The Dallas native headed the ball into the back of the net for his first goal of the season and second in his career.

CICHERO NAMED 2017 SENIOR CLASS AWARD CANDIDATE (Sept. 22, 2017)
Mauro Cichero has been named one of 30 candidates for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award. The award is presented annually to an NCAA Division I senior with notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. The Norman, Oklahoma, native is on pace to graduate in December with a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physiology & Sport Management. Cichero has routinely been active in the community, spending time with local children at free youth clinics and camps, while providing direction through soccer oriented games. He also has done community service work with Habitat for Humanity. Cichero has been named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the TopDrawerSoccer.com Best XI second team and the Preseason All-Conference team. Cichero is the emotional leader of the Mustangs as he is tied for the conference lead in points (14) and tied for second in the league in assists (4). Cichero has five goals this season, and is tied for the team lead with teammate Garrett McLaughlin. He notched his first career hat trick against UC Davis in the season opener (Aug. 25) to earn The American Offensive Player of the Week (Aug. 28). An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The 30 candidate classes will be narrowed to 10 finalists midway through the regular season, and those 10 names will be placed on the official ballot. Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, coaches and fans, who will select one male candidate and one female candidate who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. The Senior CLASS Award winners will be announced during the 2017 NCAA Men's and Women's College Cup® championships in December.

THREE MUSTANGS GARNER AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WEEKLY HONORS (Sept. 18, 2017)
Jordan Cano was named the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week, while Garrett McLaughlin and Michael Nelson were selected to the weekly honor roll. Cano picked up his second career weekly award after leading the Mustang backline to two shutouts with a 4-0 win against Loyola (Md.) and a 1-0 victory against Brown. He was credited with an assist when he threaded a pass between two Loyola (Md.) defenders to McLaughlin for the Mustangs' first goal against the Greyhounds. McLaughlin has garnered conference weekly honor roll accolades for the second straight week, and was named The American Player of the Week on Sept. 4, 2017. Two-time American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year Michael Nelson continued his stellar season as he recorded two shutouts and made four saves against the Greyhounds and the Bears. The Katy, Texas, native has been named to the weekly honor roll five times in his career.

MCLAUGHLIN AND PONDER NAMED TO THE AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONOR ROLL (Sept. 11, 2017)
Garrett McLaughlin registered three points on a goal and an assist on the road in a 1-1 week for the Mustangs. He picked up his third goal of the season against then-No. 1 Stanford, which was the first goal the Cardinal had given up this season. McLaughlin was credited with an assist in the Mustangs' 1-0 victory against Santa Clara. Ponder was the recipient of McLauglin's assist as he scored the game-winning goal against the Broncos and led SMU backline to a 1-0 shutout win.

MCLAUGHLIN NAMED THE AMERICAN OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Sept. 4, 2017)
Garrett McLaughlin was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. McLaughlin netted two goals (4 points) on four shots to earn his first weekly player of the week honor and be named to the SMU Tournament All-Tournament team.

CICHERO NAMED AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK (Aug. 28, 2017)
Mauro Cichero was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week. The senior forward recorded his first career hat trick in a 3-2 victory against UC Davis in the season opener on Friday. The MAC Hermann Trophy candidate scored two goals late to rally the Mustangs and now has 18 career goals, including seven game winners. He leads the conference in points (six) and goals (three). Cichero won the league's first weekly honor, giving him four for his career. In 2015, he was named player of the week three times helping lead SMU to conference regular season title and was also named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

HUDDY'S HOME
Hudson has compiled a 38-14-6 (.707) record, including a 29-8-1 (.776) record at Westcott Field. In just his third year at the helm, Hudson has led SMU to its first conference tournament title since 2011. The Mustangs became the first team to ever win both the American regular season and tournament titles in the same year. SMU won both regular season and conference titles for the first time since 2006 (Conference USA). Hudson has led the Mustangs to their 19th regular-season title and eighth conference tournament title. Hudson and his staff were named The American Coaching Staff of the Year after finishing the regular season 15-2-1 and 5-1-1 in league play. During Hudson's nine years on the Hilltop (six as an assistant coach), the Mustangs have reached the NCAA Tournament on six occasions, advancing as far as the NCAA Quarterfinals in 2010. In 2010 and 2012, SMU earned the Conference USA regular season title, and in 2011 the squad won the tournament championship. In his first year as head coach, Hudson's team claimed the 2015 American Athletic Conference regular-season title and advanced to the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship Third Round. Hudson and his coaching staff were named the 2015 AAC Coaching Staff of the Year. The Mustangs have amassed a 120-65-24 (.631) record during Hudson's tenure.

THERE'S (MAUR-O) WHERE THAT CAME FROM
Mauro Cichero was named The American Midfielder of the Year and first team all-conference. Cichero is third in the league in points with 25 (9 goals, 7 assists). He scored the golden goal in SMU's 1-0 double overtime victory against Memphis. It was his fourth game-winner of the season. Cichero also led the Mustangs to a 6-0 victory against Northeastern with six points (2 goals, 2 assists). Cichero recorded his third game-winner of the season at Temple with a header in the 80th minute. He notched his first career hat trick in the season opener (Aug. 25) to earn The American Offensive Player of the Week (Aug. 28). Cichero has garnered several preseason accolades heading into the 2017 season. He has been named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the TopDrawerSoccer.com Best XI second team and the preseason all-conference team. The Norman, Oklahoma native earned second team all-conference honors last season after playing in 15 games for the Mustangs, scoring three goals on 44 shots with one assist. As a sophomore, Cichero helped lead the Mustangs to a 15-3-4 record, a conference regular season title and to the third round of the NCAA Tournament in 2015. The senior forward was named the AAC Offensive Player of the Year and a unanimous First-Team All-Conference selection. Cichero finished his second season on the Hilltop ranked first on the team in goals (10), points (29) and shots (71), and second in assists (9). On the Hilltop, Cichero has started 65 matches and has tallied 24 goals, including 10 game winners, and 21 assists.

THE KEEPER
Michael Nelson made six saves during the American Men's Soccer Championship final and was named to the all-tournament team for his efforts. He claimed his third conference Goalkeeper of the Year award as the senior was awarded the honor in 2014 and 2015. The Katy, Texas, native has started all 18 matches in goal for SMU and leads the conference in four categories. He is first in shutouts (9), shutouts per game (0.50), goals against average (0.55) and save percentage (.839). Nelson ranks fourth in the league in saves with 52. Nelson was named to the conference weekly honor roll after recording his eighth shutout of the season at USF in a 0-0 draw. Nelson earned back-to-back American Goalkeeper of the Week honors (Oct. 16 and Oct. 23) after recording two shutouts and posting two wins against Oral Roberts and Cincinnati. The senior played every minute in goal against Oral Roberts and Cincinnati and made three saves while posting a 1.000 save percentage with no goals allowed (0.00 GAA). He was also named the American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week on Oct. 16 after racking up seven saves in two shutout victories against Northeastern and Memphis. It was his first weekly award of the year and his first since Nov. 2, 2015. Nelson has amassed 25 career shutouts on the Hilltop. He was named to the conference weekly honor roll on Sept. 18. For the third consecutive season, Nelson has been named the 2017 American Athletic Conference Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year. The two-time conference Goalkeeper of the Year (2014, 2015) recorded 55 saves, three shutouts last season, while posting a 1.16 goals against average to go with a .764 save percentage.

G-MAC
Garrett McLaughlin was a first team all-conference unanimous selection after leading the conference in goals (14) and leading the league in points (31). The 2016 American Rookie of the Year ranks in the top-10 in the NCAA in three categories. The Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, native leads the nation in game-winning goals (8), tied for ninth in both goals and points. McLaughlin leads the team in goals (14) on the season and has 18 career goals in just 36 games. McLaughlin's eight game-winning goals leads the NCAA. He punched in a pair of goals to lead SMU to a 2-0 win against Oral Roberts. In the Mustangs 6-0 victory against Northeastern, McLaughlin recorded two goals and one assist to finish with five points. McLaughlin has garnered conference weekly honor roll accolades twice this season (Sept. 11 and Sept. 18), and was named The American Player of the Week on Sept. 4. McLaughlin earned his second career conference weekly honor after netting two goals on four shots in wins against Oakland and Cornell. He was also named to the SMU Tournament All-Tournament team. He returned for his sophomore campaign on the Hilltop after being named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year last season. McLaughlin played in all 16 games and started seven for the Mustangs. McLaughlin led the team with 11 points off a team-high four goals, including a goal against then-No. 16 Akron in an eventual, 4-3, Mustang victory in overtime and the game-tying goal against Connecticut. McLaughlin was also credited with three assists and finished second on the team in shots on goal with 12. He was also named to the conference Weekly Honor Roll for the week of Oct. 17.

THE JORDAN STOPPER
Cano was named the Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the American Men's Soccer Championship. Cano helped the Mustangs backline give up only one during the tournament while also providing offense with two goals in as many games. He is the sixth Mustang to win the Defensive Player of the Year award and the first since graduate assistant Jaime Ibarra in 2012. He started 16 matches and tallied four assists while anchoring the SMU backline that has allowed only nine goals. The Frisco, Texas, native was also named the conference Defensive Player of the Week three times. Cano is one of the leaders of the Mustangs backline and is third on the team in assists with four. Cano was named The American Defensive Player of the Week on Oct. 23. The Frisco, Texas, native led the Mustangs backline to two shutout victories against Oral Roberts and at Cincinnati. He picked up his first award of the season on Sept. 18 after helping SMU record two more shutout victories with a 4-0 win against Loyola (Md.) and a 1-0 decision against Brown. He was credited with his third assist of the season when he threaded a pass between two Loyola (Md.) defenders to McLaughlin for the Mustangs' first goal against the Greyhounds. Cano is the most experienced defender on the Mustangs' roster and has been named to the all-conference second team the past two years. Last season, he scored in back-to-back matches against Memphis and Cincinnati, earning four total points. Cano has been consistent and reliable in the backline for the Mustangs playing in 37 games with 36 starts the last two years (2015, 2016). The Frisco, Texas, native was also named to the All-Rookie team in 2014.

EDDIE-NATIONAL
Defender Eddie Munjoma was named to the U.S. Under-19 Men's National Team domestic training camp roster. Munjoma was one of 22 players called to attend the eight-day camp from February 3-10 in Sunrise, Florida. As a freshman last season, Munjoma started 12 of 13 games for SMU and played 1,149 minutes on the pitch. He tallied four points on four assists, including three assists against then-No.16 Akron helping the Mustangs beat the Zips 4-3 in overtime.

2017 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE PRESEASON HONORS
Four Mustangs were named to the preseason All-American Athletic Conference team, the league announced. SMU was picked to finish fifth in the conference, receiving one of the eight first place votes by the league's coaches. The Mustangs return eight starters from last season, including Jordan Cano, Mauro Cichero, Garrett McLaughlin and Michael Nelson, who all made the preseason all-conference team.

2016 AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE HONORS
Forward Garrett McLaughlin was named American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, while defender Jordan Cano and midfielder Mauro Cichero were named to The American All-Conference second team.

Rookie of the Year: Garrett McLaughlin
Second Team: Jordan Cano and Mauro Cichero

2017 MEN'S SOCCER WATCH LISTS/PRESEASON HONORS

JORDAN CANO
All-American Athletic Conference

MAURO CICHERO
MAC Hermann Trophy
Top Drawer Soccer Best XI
All-American Athletic Conference

GARRETT MCLAUGHLIN
All-American Athletic Conference

MICHAEL NELSON
American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year
All-American Athletic Conference

2017 MEN'S SOCCER SEASON HONORS/AWARDS

JORDAN CANO
SMU Tournament All-Tournament Team
American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 18, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 23, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Nov. 6, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year
First Team All-American Athletic Conference
American Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team
American Men's Soccer Championship Most Outstanding Defensive Player

BRYCE CLARK
American Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team

EMIL CUELLO
American Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team
American Men's Soccer Championship Most Outstanding Offensive Player

MAURO CICHERO
SMU Tournament Most Outstanding Player (MOP)
American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week (Aug. 28, 2017)
Senior CLASS Award Candidate (Sept. 22, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Oct. 9, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Oct. 16, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Midfielder of the Year
First Team All-American Athletic Conference

NICKY HERNANDEZ
American Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team

TALEN MAPLES
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Oct. 16, 2017)
All-Rookie Team

GARRETT MCLAUGHLIN
SMU Tournament All-Tournament Team
American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 4, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Sept. 11, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Sept. 18, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Oct. 23, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week (Nov. 6, 2017)
First Team All-American Athletic Conference

MICHAEL NELSON
SMU Tournament All-Tournament Team
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Sept. 18, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week (Oct. 16, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week (Oct. 23, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Oct. 31, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Week (Nov. 6, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Goalkeeper of the Year
First Team All-American Athletic Conference
American Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team

PHILIP PONDER
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Sept. 11, 2017)

JARED RICE
American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Week (Oct. 2, 2017)
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Oct. 9, 2017)
Second Team All-American Athletic Conference
American Men's Soccer Championship All-Tournament Team

CALEB SMITH
SMU Tournament All-Tournament Team

DJ Williams
American Athletic Conference Honor Roll (Oct. 2, 2017)

NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES
The Mustangs return 21 letterwinners, including eight starters from last season, while adding 11 newcomers to the roster. The 2017 recruiting class consists of Joshua Berney, Ryan Capo, Matteo DeFina, Nicky Hernandez, Noah Hilt, Talen Maples, Dakota Okwuone, Luke Thompson, Austin Vincent, Patrick Wintergalen and graduate transfer Tyler Long.

SMU SOCCER PROGRAMS EARN 2016-17 TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD (Oct. 5, 2017)
Both SMU soccer programs earned the United Soccer Coaches' (formerly the NSCAA) Team Academic Award. The teams were recognized for their exemplary performance in the classroom during the 2016-17 academic year. SMU was one of 202 collegiate programs to have both their men and women's teams earn the award. The SMU women's team, which posted a 3.50 team grade-point average for the 2016-17 academic year, has earned the honor for the sixth consecutive season. The SMU men's soccer team earned the academic award for its second consecutive season following a 3.40 GPA. A total of 824 soccer teams (286 men, 538 women) earned the honor. To qualify for the award, the team must have a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 or higher for the entire academic year. The team GPA is determined by adding every player's GPA, then dividing by the number of players.

MEN'S SOCCER HIGH SCHOOL COACHES DAY (Aug. 19, 2017)
SMU men's soccer head coach Kevin Hudson and staff hosted a coaches day Saturday, Aug. 19 at Westcott Field, which was open to high school coaches. The event provided insight to the day-to-day operations of the program, while also giving coaches an inside look at the preparation that takes place before matches.

WESTCOTT FIELD
One of the most popular soccer venues in the country, Westcott Field, is the home turf for both the SMU men's and women's soccer teams. Both teams began competing at Westcott Field in 1994. The grass facility was used as a training site for the Dallas venue of World Cup USA '94. Teams from Germany, Bulgaria, Sweden and Holland practiced there before their games at the Cotton Bowl. Within more recent years, Westcott Field has climbed the charts as one of the nation's exciting soccer stadiums. In 2001, Westcott Field ranked among the highest attended facilities during the SMU men's team No. 1 reign for 14 weeks, as well as the women's team march to the Western Athletic Conference Title. In 2004, the Mustangs added a press box to the stadium featuring attractive lettering and the Mustangs' past champions. Before the 2006 season, SMU installed a new turf and a state-of-the art drainage system.

FREE SOCCER
Adding to its menu of free, family-friendly events, SMU Athletics will now offer free admission to all Mustang soccer matches beginning this fall. The soccer programs are among 11 SMU sports that offer free admission. Others include volleyball, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's golf, rowing and equestrian. SMU will host a combined 22 matches at Westcott Field, 12 women's games and 10 men's games.

UP NEXT
If SMU advances, the Mustangs will play the winner of the Fordham/Duke match in the NCAA Men's Soccer Championship Quarterfinals on Dec. 1 or Dec. 2.

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.