Wednesday, November 13
Orlando, Fla.
3:30 P.M. CT
SMU
vs
USF
No. 11 SMU Set To Take On USF In AAC Tournament Semifinal
Nov 11 | Men's Soccer
[11/11] SMU (14-1-1, 5-1-1) vs. USF (10-5-1, 4-3-0)
AAC Championship Semifinal
UCF Soccer and Track Complex / Orlando, Fla.
Nov. 13, 2019 – 3:30 p.m. CT
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TOURNAMENT TIME
The Mustangs head to Orlando for the 2019 AAC Championships where they're the No. 2 seed and earned a bye in the quarterfinal. SMU will take on No. 3 USF in the semifinal after the Bulls dispatched UConn, 1-0, on Saturday evening. SMU has won back-to-back AAC postseason titles and will look to secure a berth in the final for a third straight season with a win over USF.
LAST TIME OUT
The Mustangs wrapped up their regular season with a 2-1 win in 2OT at Temple on Nov. 5. With the win, SMU earned its 14th win of the season, its most in a regular season since 2010. Knut Ahlander scored the game's first goal in the 68th minute and then Garrett McLaughlin scored the game-winner in the 106th his league-high 15th goal of the season.
A STRONG REGULAR SEASON
The Mustangs have had an historic season, scoring the most goals of any SMU team since 2006. SMU has essentially rewritten the conference's record book this year, setting new highs in goals, points, assists, individual goals and individual points. SMU climbed as high as No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches poll earlier in the season and won six games vs. teams that made the 2018 NCAA tourney.
PULSE OF THE POLLS
The NCAA soccer selection committee released its Top 16 teams on Nov. 1, ranking the Mustangs No. 8 in the country. SMU is ranked No. 11 in the country by United Soccer Coaches (11/5). SMU claimed the No. 10 spot in the most recent RPI. The Mustangs were ranked No. 11 by Top Drawer Soccer (11/4) and No. 6 by College Soccer News (11/4). The Mustangs earned a No. 3 ranking earlier in the season which is tied for the highest ranking of any AAC team in history.
SMU HISTORY IN THE AAC TOURNEY
SMU is 4-2-3 at the AAC Championship, winning the tournament the past two seasons. The Mustangs and Bulls have never faced in the tournament's history. SMU has placed 13 players on the All-Tournament team, including a combined 11 the past two years.
LAST TIME VS. THE BULLS
SMU and USF faced each other in Tampa earlier this season, with the Mustangs leaving with a 3-0 result. A trio of Ponies scored with Costa (29'), Ahlander (35') and Smith-Hastie (85') finding the back of the net.
HOME PITCH ADVANTAGE
SMU fans have poured into Westcott Field this season, averaging 1,663 people at each match, good for 13th most in the country. SMU's accumulated attendance of 16,333 is 10th-best in the nation. The Ponies led the conference in attendance, and were one of two schools in the AAC to average over 1,000 fans at each match. The Mustangs finished their regular season with a 8-1-1 home record. It's the sixth time since 2005 to reach the 8-win mark.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Mustangs are a perfect 6-0-0 on the road this season. They've outscored opponents 21-4 when away from Westcott including a 5-1 win at Tulsa and a 7-1 victory in Cincinnati.
DOUBLE-DIGIT WINS
With SMU's 3-0 win at USF on Oct. 11 the Mustangs picked up their 10th win of the season, marking the 16th time since 2000 that SMU has won 10+ games in a season. October 11 is the fastest the team has reached the 10-win mark since 2010 when it was hit on Oct. 6.
PLAYING THE FULL FIELD
Only twice in league history has the same team led the conference in goals scored and goals allowed, in 2014 and 2017. Both times, the team was SMU. In 2019, the Mustangs currently lead the league in goals (55) and goals allowed (12).
SETTING THE STANDARD
The Mustangs have set new AAC records in the following categories:
- Pts in AAC play - 75 (previous 50)
- Goals in AAC play - 24 (prev. 18)
- Asst. in AAC play - 27 (prev. 18)
- Ind. Goals in AAC play - McLaughlin 8 (prev. 7)
- Ind. Pts in AAC play - McLaughlin 18 (prev. 17)
- Ind. Assists in AAC play - Costa 6 (prev. 5)
CONQUERING CONFERENCE PLAY
The Mustangs are 5-1-1 in conference play and outscoring opponents 24-10, scoring 3+ goals in five matches. SMU is 14-1-1 in its last 16 conference matches dating back to last season.
FAST START
The Mustangs started their season with an 11-game undefeated streak, the third best start in school history. With its 11-game undefeated streak to start the season, SMU set the AAC record for the best start of any team in league history. The team's best start ever was 21-0 in 2001. Current head coach Kevin Hudson started 19 games that year for the Mustangs.
FEARSOME FOURSOME
SMU has four players with 20+ points this season. No other team in the AAC has more than one.
- Garrett McLaughlin - 35 points (1st)
- Eddie Munjoma - 28 points (3rd)
- Knut Ahlander - 25 points (4th)
- Gabriel Costa - 24 points (6th)
SENIOR CLASS: BY THE NUMBERS
The 2019 senior class has been one of the best in school history. They've combined for 46 wins and counting, four conference championships (2 regular, 2 postseason) and are responsible for the best offensive season at SMU since 2001.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
The Mustangs currently are conference leaders in six categories as a team and seven as individuals.
- TEAM: Points (165), Goals (55), Assists (55), Goals Allowed (12), GAA (0.73), Shutouts (9),
- IND: Points (McLaughlin, 35), Goals (McLaughlin, 15), Assists (Ahlander, 11), Assists/game (Costa, 0.77), Game-winning goals (McLaughlin, 6), GAA (Lanson, .32), Save % (Lanson, .889), Saves/game (Makela, 4.30), Clean sheets (Makela, 5), Shutouts/game (Makela and Lanson, .50)
BACKLINE DOMINANCE
SMU's defense has been among the best in the country this season, allowing just 12 goals in the regular season. SMU's starting backline has a combined 220 starts in their careers, led by Eddie Munjoma (59). SMU's nine shutouts are the 8th most in the country and four more than anyone else in the conference. The Mustangs lead the conference in GAA at 0.73, which is 0.22 goals fewer anyone else in the league.
PROLIFIC OFFENSE
SMU's 55 goals are the second most in the country. The 55 goals are the most for the Mustangs in a season since 2006 (57). The Mustangs have shared the wealth offensively, as 13 different players have scored this year, and four players have 6+ goals, and two with 10+. SMU is one of four schools nationally with two 10+ goal scorers. SMU ranks third nationally in shots per game (18.13) and SOG/game (8.38). The teams' 10.31 points/game are the second most in the nation. SMU's 165 points are a conference record and 56 more than anyone else in the conference. It's the most points the Mustangs have scored since 2006 (171), and third most since the turn of the century.
POURING IT ON
In SMU's match vs. Valpo, six Mustangs found the back of the net. It was the first time six student-athletes have scored in one game since a 7-0 win over Central Arkansas in Oct. 2014. SMU has scored 5+ goals five times this season. In the decade prior, SMU netted five or more goals just twice. The Mustangs have scored 3+ goals in 10 of their matches this season, and had a seven-game 3+ goal streak, the longest in school history.
2019 HONORS
Talen Maples - AAC Defensive POTW (9/10)
Eddie Munjoma - TDS Starting XI (9/10)
Garrett McLaughlin - AAC Honor Roll (9/10), AAC Offensive POTW (9/23), Senior CLASS Award Candidate (9/23), TDS Starting XI (9/24), AAC Offensive POTW (10/28), National Player of the Week (10/29), TDS Starting XI (10/29), College Soccer News' National POTW (10/29)
Nicky Hernandez - AAC Honor Roll (9/10)
Brandon Terwege - TDS Starting XI (9/16)
Shane Lanson - National POTW (9/17), AAC Honor Roll (9/17), AAC GK of the week (9/23)
Gabriel Costa - AAC Offensive POTW (9/30), TDS Starting XI (10/1), AAC Offensive POTW (10/7), TDS Starting XI (10/8)
Knut Ahlander - AAC Weekly Honor Roll (10/14), TDS Starting XI honorable mention (10/15), AAC Weekly Honor Roll (11/6)
Grant Makela - AAC GK of the Week (11/6)
SMU earned back-to-back-to-back AAC offensive player of the week honors for the first time since 2015 when McLaughlin won on 9/23 and then Costa repeated with the accolade.
MCLAUGHLIN MAGIC
Garrett McLaughlin's 36 career goals are the most among active Mustangs and fifth-most among all active players nationally. McLaughlin tied the SMU record and broke the AAC record when he scored five times against Cincinnati on Oct. 26. He has two hat tricks this season (5, at Cincinnati and 3, vs. Houston Baptist). His 88th minute equalizer at Denver on Sept. 21 pushed the game to overtime, preserving the Mustangs perfect start. He has a career-high 15 goals in 2019, the most in the conference and third most in the country.
COSTA IN CONTROL
Gabriel Costa has been one of the most lethal offensive players in the conference this season, ranking fourth in the AAC in PPG (1.85). Costa dominated Tulsa in the conference opener as he tallied six points after scoring twice and assisting on two goals. He is the country's active leader in points per game (1.97) among players with 25+ games played. Costa's 0.77 assists per game are the 2nd most in the country and his 10 assists rank third nationally.
RETURN OF THE MAK(ELA)
GK Grant Makela returned to the Mustangs for their match vs. UCA and earned his second shutout of the year. The Destin, Fla., native has an AAC-high five shutouts this season.
AHLANDER ASSISTING
Knut Ahlander's 11 assists are the second most in Division I soccer. The midfielder has dominated on both sides of the ball forcing turnovers and spreading the wealth, recording assists to five different players. The Norway native has scored seven goals this season and has 25 points.
MUNJOMA THE MAGNIFICENT
Eddie Munjoma recorded his first multi-goal game in his career vs. Saint Louis. He recorded his second multi-goal game on Oct. 18 when he netted two goals vs. Memphis. He recorded a second-straight brace vs. Stetson four days later. His 10 goals are the third most in the AAC this season.
KNOW YOUR FOE
The Bulls are the No. 3 seed in this week's AAC Championship, amassing a 5-3-0 record in conference play. They beat UConn 1-0 in the quarterfinal. The Mustangs won the regular season meeting, 3-0.
SERIES HISTORY
The Mustangs and Owls have faced off 10 times, and the Bulls lead the series 4-2-4.
COMING UP
A win on Wednesday would place the Mustangs in their third straight AAC title game. They would face the winner of the UCF/Temple match.
AAC Championship Semifinal
UCF Soccer and Track Complex / Orlando, Fla.
Nov. 13, 2019 – 3:30 p.m. CT
American Digital Network | Live Stats | SMU Notes (PDF)
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
SMU Mobile App
Apple | Google Play
TOURNAMENT TIME
The Mustangs head to Orlando for the 2019 AAC Championships where they're the No. 2 seed and earned a bye in the quarterfinal. SMU will take on No. 3 USF in the semifinal after the Bulls dispatched UConn, 1-0, on Saturday evening. SMU has won back-to-back AAC postseason titles and will look to secure a berth in the final for a third straight season with a win over USF.
LAST TIME OUT
The Mustangs wrapped up their regular season with a 2-1 win in 2OT at Temple on Nov. 5. With the win, SMU earned its 14th win of the season, its most in a regular season since 2010. Knut Ahlander scored the game's first goal in the 68th minute and then Garrett McLaughlin scored the game-winner in the 106th his league-high 15th goal of the season.
A STRONG REGULAR SEASON
The Mustangs have had an historic season, scoring the most goals of any SMU team since 2006. SMU has essentially rewritten the conference's record book this year, setting new highs in goals, points, assists, individual goals and individual points. SMU climbed as high as No. 3 in the United Soccer Coaches poll earlier in the season and won six games vs. teams that made the 2018 NCAA tourney.
PULSE OF THE POLLS
The NCAA soccer selection committee released its Top 16 teams on Nov. 1, ranking the Mustangs No. 8 in the country. SMU is ranked No. 11 in the country by United Soccer Coaches (11/5). SMU claimed the No. 10 spot in the most recent RPI. The Mustangs were ranked No. 11 by Top Drawer Soccer (11/4) and No. 6 by College Soccer News (11/4). The Mustangs earned a No. 3 ranking earlier in the season which is tied for the highest ranking of any AAC team in history.
SMU HISTORY IN THE AAC TOURNEY
SMU is 4-2-3 at the AAC Championship, winning the tournament the past two seasons. The Mustangs and Bulls have never faced in the tournament's history. SMU has placed 13 players on the All-Tournament team, including a combined 11 the past two years.
LAST TIME VS. THE BULLS
SMU and USF faced each other in Tampa earlier this season, with the Mustangs leaving with a 3-0 result. A trio of Ponies scored with Costa (29'), Ahlander (35') and Smith-Hastie (85') finding the back of the net.
HOME PITCH ADVANTAGE
SMU fans have poured into Westcott Field this season, averaging 1,663 people at each match, good for 13th most in the country. SMU's accumulated attendance of 16,333 is 10th-best in the nation. The Ponies led the conference in attendance, and were one of two schools in the AAC to average over 1,000 fans at each match. The Mustangs finished their regular season with a 8-1-1 home record. It's the sixth time since 2005 to reach the 8-win mark.
ROAD WARRIORS
The Mustangs are a perfect 6-0-0 on the road this season. They've outscored opponents 21-4 when away from Westcott including a 5-1 win at Tulsa and a 7-1 victory in Cincinnati.
DOUBLE-DIGIT WINS
With SMU's 3-0 win at USF on Oct. 11 the Mustangs picked up their 10th win of the season, marking the 16th time since 2000 that SMU has won 10+ games in a season. October 11 is the fastest the team has reached the 10-win mark since 2010 when it was hit on Oct. 6.
PLAYING THE FULL FIELD
Only twice in league history has the same team led the conference in goals scored and goals allowed, in 2014 and 2017. Both times, the team was SMU. In 2019, the Mustangs currently lead the league in goals (55) and goals allowed (12).
SETTING THE STANDARD
The Mustangs have set new AAC records in the following categories:
- Pts in AAC play - 75 (previous 50)
- Goals in AAC play - 24 (prev. 18)
- Asst. in AAC play - 27 (prev. 18)
- Ind. Goals in AAC play - McLaughlin 8 (prev. 7)
- Ind. Pts in AAC play - McLaughlin 18 (prev. 17)
- Ind. Assists in AAC play - Costa 6 (prev. 5)
CONQUERING CONFERENCE PLAY
The Mustangs are 5-1-1 in conference play and outscoring opponents 24-10, scoring 3+ goals in five matches. SMU is 14-1-1 in its last 16 conference matches dating back to last season.
FAST START
The Mustangs started their season with an 11-game undefeated streak, the third best start in school history. With its 11-game undefeated streak to start the season, SMU set the AAC record for the best start of any team in league history. The team's best start ever was 21-0 in 2001. Current head coach Kevin Hudson started 19 games that year for the Mustangs.
FEARSOME FOURSOME
SMU has four players with 20+ points this season. No other team in the AAC has more than one.
- Garrett McLaughlin - 35 points (1st)
- Eddie Munjoma - 28 points (3rd)
- Knut Ahlander - 25 points (4th)
- Gabriel Costa - 24 points (6th)
SENIOR CLASS: BY THE NUMBERS
The 2019 senior class has been one of the best in school history. They've combined for 46 wins and counting, four conference championships (2 regular, 2 postseason) and are responsible for the best offensive season at SMU since 2001.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
The Mustangs currently are conference leaders in six categories as a team and seven as individuals.
- TEAM: Points (165), Goals (55), Assists (55), Goals Allowed (12), GAA (0.73), Shutouts (9),
- IND: Points (McLaughlin, 35), Goals (McLaughlin, 15), Assists (Ahlander, 11), Assists/game (Costa, 0.77), Game-winning goals (McLaughlin, 6), GAA (Lanson, .32), Save % (Lanson, .889), Saves/game (Makela, 4.30), Clean sheets (Makela, 5), Shutouts/game (Makela and Lanson, .50)
BACKLINE DOMINANCE
SMU's defense has been among the best in the country this season, allowing just 12 goals in the regular season. SMU's starting backline has a combined 220 starts in their careers, led by Eddie Munjoma (59). SMU's nine shutouts are the 8th most in the country and four more than anyone else in the conference. The Mustangs lead the conference in GAA at 0.73, which is 0.22 goals fewer anyone else in the league.
PROLIFIC OFFENSE
SMU's 55 goals are the second most in the country. The 55 goals are the most for the Mustangs in a season since 2006 (57). The Mustangs have shared the wealth offensively, as 13 different players have scored this year, and four players have 6+ goals, and two with 10+. SMU is one of four schools nationally with two 10+ goal scorers. SMU ranks third nationally in shots per game (18.13) and SOG/game (8.38). The teams' 10.31 points/game are the second most in the nation. SMU's 165 points are a conference record and 56 more than anyone else in the conference. It's the most points the Mustangs have scored since 2006 (171), and third most since the turn of the century.
POURING IT ON
In SMU's match vs. Valpo, six Mustangs found the back of the net. It was the first time six student-athletes have scored in one game since a 7-0 win over Central Arkansas in Oct. 2014. SMU has scored 5+ goals five times this season. In the decade prior, SMU netted five or more goals just twice. The Mustangs have scored 3+ goals in 10 of their matches this season, and had a seven-game 3+ goal streak, the longest in school history.
2019 HONORS
Talen Maples - AAC Defensive POTW (9/10)
Eddie Munjoma - TDS Starting XI (9/10)
Garrett McLaughlin - AAC Honor Roll (9/10), AAC Offensive POTW (9/23), Senior CLASS Award Candidate (9/23), TDS Starting XI (9/24), AAC Offensive POTW (10/28), National Player of the Week (10/29), TDS Starting XI (10/29), College Soccer News' National POTW (10/29)
Nicky Hernandez - AAC Honor Roll (9/10)
Brandon Terwege - TDS Starting XI (9/16)
Shane Lanson - National POTW (9/17), AAC Honor Roll (9/17), AAC GK of the week (9/23)
Gabriel Costa - AAC Offensive POTW (9/30), TDS Starting XI (10/1), AAC Offensive POTW (10/7), TDS Starting XI (10/8)
Knut Ahlander - AAC Weekly Honor Roll (10/14), TDS Starting XI honorable mention (10/15), AAC Weekly Honor Roll (11/6)
Grant Makela - AAC GK of the Week (11/6)
SMU earned back-to-back-to-back AAC offensive player of the week honors for the first time since 2015 when McLaughlin won on 9/23 and then Costa repeated with the accolade.
MCLAUGHLIN MAGIC
Garrett McLaughlin's 36 career goals are the most among active Mustangs and fifth-most among all active players nationally. McLaughlin tied the SMU record and broke the AAC record when he scored five times against Cincinnati on Oct. 26. He has two hat tricks this season (5, at Cincinnati and 3, vs. Houston Baptist). His 88th minute equalizer at Denver on Sept. 21 pushed the game to overtime, preserving the Mustangs perfect start. He has a career-high 15 goals in 2019, the most in the conference and third most in the country.
COSTA IN CONTROL
Gabriel Costa has been one of the most lethal offensive players in the conference this season, ranking fourth in the AAC in PPG (1.85). Costa dominated Tulsa in the conference opener as he tallied six points after scoring twice and assisting on two goals. He is the country's active leader in points per game (1.97) among players with 25+ games played. Costa's 0.77 assists per game are the 2nd most in the country and his 10 assists rank third nationally.
RETURN OF THE MAK(ELA)
GK Grant Makela returned to the Mustangs for their match vs. UCA and earned his second shutout of the year. The Destin, Fla., native has an AAC-high five shutouts this season.
AHLANDER ASSISTING
Knut Ahlander's 11 assists are the second most in Division I soccer. The midfielder has dominated on both sides of the ball forcing turnovers and spreading the wealth, recording assists to five different players. The Norway native has scored seven goals this season and has 25 points.
MUNJOMA THE MAGNIFICENT
Eddie Munjoma recorded his first multi-goal game in his career vs. Saint Louis. He recorded his second multi-goal game on Oct. 18 when he netted two goals vs. Memphis. He recorded a second-straight brace vs. Stetson four days later. His 10 goals are the third most in the AAC this season.
KNOW YOUR FOE
The Bulls are the No. 3 seed in this week's AAC Championship, amassing a 5-3-0 record in conference play. They beat UConn 1-0 in the quarterfinal. The Mustangs won the regular season meeting, 3-0.
SERIES HISTORY
The Mustangs and Owls have faced off 10 times, and the Bulls lead the series 4-2-4.
COMING UP
A win on Wednesday would place the Mustangs in their third straight AAC title game. They would face the winner of the UCF/Temple match.
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