Saturday, October 16
Dallas
7 PM
SMU
vs
UCF
No. 24 SMU Hosts Match Against UCF On Saturday At 7 p.m.
Oct 14 | Men's Soccer
No. 24/14 SMU (6-2-2, 3-2-0 AAC) vs. UCF (6-4-0, 4-1-0 AAC)
Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium - Dallas, Texas
Saturday, October 16, 2021 – 7 p.m. CT
Live Stats | Watch: ESPN+
SMU Game Notes (PDF) | UCF | American (PDF)
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
SMU Mobile App
Apple | Google Play
No. 24 SMU is set to host preseason conference favorite UCF for the first matchup of the season between the two on Saturday, Oct. 16. This weekend's contest at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start and will be shown on ESPN+.
SERIES HISTORYÂ
The Mustangs and Knights have faced off every season since 2005 and have seen multiple matches during five of those seasons, including three during the spring. During the spring, SMU dropped two matches and tied the third. UCF took both regular season games by finals scores of 2-0 in Dallas and 2-1 in Orlando. During the semifinal round of the AAC tournament in Orlando, UCF advanced to the final after going 4-3 in PKs. The two have become rivals of sorts after playing each other during four of the last conference tournaments and the 2019 NCAA tournament. When playing in Dallas, SMU holds a 6-1-2 record over UCF, with the only loss coming in the spring.
KNOW THE FOEÂ
UCF holds a 6-4-0 record on the season after going 2-3-0 in non-conference play and starting AAC play 4-1-0. The team currently sits tied with Tulsa for the No. 1 spot in the conference standings. The Knights' most recent win was in Orlando against then-undefeated No. 6 Tulsa by a final score of 3-2. They have also taken down USF, Temple, Memphis, FGCU and North Florida and have dropped contests to FIU, then-No. 10 Virginia Tech, NC State and Memphis. The Knights were picked as the conference's preseason favorite while Yanis Leerman was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Preseason All-Conference Team along with Gino Vivi and Anderson Rosa.
LAST TIME OUT
SMU dropped its second contest of the season by a 3-2 final as they played to overtime in Memphis last weekend. The Tigers put the first goal on the board in the 27th minute before Tobin Shanks tied it up at 1-1 off a header in the 37th thanks to a cross from Harvey Castro. SMU Freshman Bailey Sparks broke the tie in the 87th minute as he found a pass from Skage Simonsen then slid his shot into the goal. Just 26 seconds later, Memphis tied the contest back up, this time at 2-2. The game-winner came in the 99th minute when a card was issued in the Mustang box and the Tigers converted their opportunity for the 3-2 win.Â
MUSTANGS IN THE RANKINGS
SMU checked in at No. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 14 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll on October 12. SMU is second in The American in shots per game with 15.10 (28th NCAA), assists per game (2.40, 19th NCAA), goals against average (0.93, 44th NCAA) and comes in at third in points per game (6.50, 27th NCAA) in goals per game (2.10, 29th NCAA). Senior Gabriel Costa finds himself among the nation's leaders in points per game (6th, 2.00), assists per game (19th, 0.60) and goals per game (20th, 0.70). The NCAA released its first RPI rankings of the season earlier this week. SMU is the AAC's third highest-ranked team at 49, behind No. 7 Tulsa and No. 46 UCF.
SEEING A FAMILIAR FACE
UCF forward/midfielder Nick Taylor joined the Knights for the season after spending the last two at SMU. Taylor leads the Knights in assists with eight and is ranked third in the nation in assists per game with 0.80. While with the Mustangs, Taylor played in 30 matches and started in 21 during his two seasons on the Hilltop. He scored two goals and three assists while tallying 21 shots, including six on goal.Â
TOP TALENT ON THE HILLTOP
Four Mustang freshmen were named to Top Drawer Soccer's midseason Freshmen Top 100 on Wednesday afternoon. Mads Westergren led the way for SMU, coming in at No. 6 and was followed by No. 9 JP Jordan, No. 43 Bailey Sparks and No. 63 Kyran Chambron Pinho. SMU led the conference with four selections and is tied for the most selections on the list across the NCAA with just two other programs: Akron and UCLA. Eight schools follow with three selections apiece.
2021 HONORS
PRESEASON HONORS
Four Mustangs were named to the Preseason All-AAC Team as Knut Ahlander and Skage Simonsen were unanimous selections while Gabriel Costa and Papa Ndoye joined their teammates as the other two selections. SMU's four All-Conference players were the most selections by any school. SMU earned two first-place votes in the 2021 AAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, where they came in second, just one point behind UCF. Two freshmen were recognized by Top Drawer Soccer as Bailey Sparks was named a Pro Academy Signee to Watch and JP Jordan was named a Non-Pro Academy Impact Freshman.
NEW ADDITIONS
The Mustangs have added 11 freshmen and one transfer, Quentin van der Lee, to the 2021 roster for a total of 12 new faces on the Hilltop. SMU's 2021 recruiting class entered the season ranked No. 10 by Top Drawer Soccer. Freshmen Bailey Sparks and JP Jordan were recognized by Top Drawer Soccer heading into the season as freshmen to watch. The freshmen made their way to Dallas from Alabama, California, Colorado, Germany and Denmark as well as Houston and Austin. Three hail from the metroplex as they chose to embrace Dallas' college.
SENIOR STANGS
SMU's 2021 roster boasts 10 seniors and two graduate students to total 14 upperclassmen. This year's senior class includes Knut Ahlander, Gabriel Costa, Thomas Haney, Timo Hummrich, Roman Knox, Shane Lanson, Wyatt Priest, Tobin Shanks, Skage Simonsen and Lane Warrington. Joining van der Lee as a graduate student, Brandon Terwege is back on the Hilltop for another season. The defender was selected by Houston Dynamo FC in the third round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft with the 57th overall pick. In the spring, he helped SMU to four shutouts and started in nine games, playing all 90 minutes in each. Six of last season's primary starters are part of this year's senior class.
ABOUT ATTENDANCE AT WASHBURNE
Fans will be welcome at Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium and bleachers will be provided on the east side of the track. The fan entrance will be at the southeast corner near Doak Walker Plaza. Food trucks and bathrooms will be provided at Ford Stadium.
UP NEXTÂ
The Mustangs head to Florida to face USF on Friday, Oct. 22. The match at Corbett Stadium is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT start on ESPN+.
Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium - Dallas, Texas
Saturday, October 16, 2021 – 7 p.m. CT
Live Stats | Watch: ESPN+
SMU Game Notes (PDF) | UCF | American (PDF)
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
SMU Mobile App
Apple | Google Play
No. 24 SMU is set to host preseason conference favorite UCF for the first matchup of the season between the two on Saturday, Oct. 16. This weekend's contest at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT start and will be shown on ESPN+.
SERIES HISTORYÂ
The Mustangs and Knights have faced off every season since 2005 and have seen multiple matches during five of those seasons, including three during the spring. During the spring, SMU dropped two matches and tied the third. UCF took both regular season games by finals scores of 2-0 in Dallas and 2-1 in Orlando. During the semifinal round of the AAC tournament in Orlando, UCF advanced to the final after going 4-3 in PKs. The two have become rivals of sorts after playing each other during four of the last conference tournaments and the 2019 NCAA tournament. When playing in Dallas, SMU holds a 6-1-2 record over UCF, with the only loss coming in the spring.
KNOW THE FOEÂ
UCF holds a 6-4-0 record on the season after going 2-3-0 in non-conference play and starting AAC play 4-1-0. The team currently sits tied with Tulsa for the No. 1 spot in the conference standings. The Knights' most recent win was in Orlando against then-undefeated No. 6 Tulsa by a final score of 3-2. They have also taken down USF, Temple, Memphis, FGCU and North Florida and have dropped contests to FIU, then-No. 10 Virginia Tech, NC State and Memphis. The Knights were picked as the conference's preseason favorite while Yanis Leerman was selected as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and a member of the Preseason All-Conference Team along with Gino Vivi and Anderson Rosa.
LAST TIME OUT
SMU dropped its second contest of the season by a 3-2 final as they played to overtime in Memphis last weekend. The Tigers put the first goal on the board in the 27th minute before Tobin Shanks tied it up at 1-1 off a header in the 37th thanks to a cross from Harvey Castro. SMU Freshman Bailey Sparks broke the tie in the 87th minute as he found a pass from Skage Simonsen then slid his shot into the goal. Just 26 seconds later, Memphis tied the contest back up, this time at 2-2. The game-winner came in the 99th minute when a card was issued in the Mustang box and the Tigers converted their opportunity for the 3-2 win.Â
MUSTANGS IN THE RANKINGS
SMU checked in at No. 24 in the United Soccer Coaches poll and No. 14 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll on October 12. SMU is second in The American in shots per game with 15.10 (28th NCAA), assists per game (2.40, 19th NCAA), goals against average (0.93, 44th NCAA) and comes in at third in points per game (6.50, 27th NCAA) in goals per game (2.10, 29th NCAA). Senior Gabriel Costa finds himself among the nation's leaders in points per game (6th, 2.00), assists per game (19th, 0.60) and goals per game (20th, 0.70). The NCAA released its first RPI rankings of the season earlier this week. SMU is the AAC's third highest-ranked team at 49, behind No. 7 Tulsa and No. 46 UCF.
SEEING A FAMILIAR FACE
UCF forward/midfielder Nick Taylor joined the Knights for the season after spending the last two at SMU. Taylor leads the Knights in assists with eight and is ranked third in the nation in assists per game with 0.80. While with the Mustangs, Taylor played in 30 matches and started in 21 during his two seasons on the Hilltop. He scored two goals and three assists while tallying 21 shots, including six on goal.Â
TOP TALENT ON THE HILLTOP
Four Mustang freshmen were named to Top Drawer Soccer's midseason Freshmen Top 100 on Wednesday afternoon. Mads Westergren led the way for SMU, coming in at No. 6 and was followed by No. 9 JP Jordan, No. 43 Bailey Sparks and No. 63 Kyran Chambron Pinho. SMU led the conference with four selections and is tied for the most selections on the list across the NCAA with just two other programs: Akron and UCLA. Eight schools follow with three selections apiece.
2021 HONORS
- Kyran Chambron Pinho - AAC Rookie of the Week (Aug. 30, Oct. 4), AAC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept. 6)
- Gabriel Costa - AAC Offensive Player of the Week (Aug. 30), AAC Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 6, Sept. 20, Oct. 4), TDS National Player of the Week (Sept. 21), TDS/CSN Team of the Week (Aug. 31)
- Cole Johnson - AAC Goalkeeper of the Week (Sept. 27), AAC Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 6, Sept. 13)
- Papa Ndoye - AAC Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 20)
- Bailey Sparks - AAC Rookie of the Week (Sept. 6, Oct. 11)
- Brandon Terwege - AAC Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 13, Sept. 27)
- Lane Warrington - AAC Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 27)
PRESEASON HONORS
Four Mustangs were named to the Preseason All-AAC Team as Knut Ahlander and Skage Simonsen were unanimous selections while Gabriel Costa and Papa Ndoye joined their teammates as the other two selections. SMU's four All-Conference players were the most selections by any school. SMU earned two first-place votes in the 2021 AAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, where they came in second, just one point behind UCF. Two freshmen were recognized by Top Drawer Soccer as Bailey Sparks was named a Pro Academy Signee to Watch and JP Jordan was named a Non-Pro Academy Impact Freshman.
NEW ADDITIONS
The Mustangs have added 11 freshmen and one transfer, Quentin van der Lee, to the 2021 roster for a total of 12 new faces on the Hilltop. SMU's 2021 recruiting class entered the season ranked No. 10 by Top Drawer Soccer. Freshmen Bailey Sparks and JP Jordan were recognized by Top Drawer Soccer heading into the season as freshmen to watch. The freshmen made their way to Dallas from Alabama, California, Colorado, Germany and Denmark as well as Houston and Austin. Three hail from the metroplex as they chose to embrace Dallas' college.
SENIOR STANGS
SMU's 2021 roster boasts 10 seniors and two graduate students to total 14 upperclassmen. This year's senior class includes Knut Ahlander, Gabriel Costa, Thomas Haney, Timo Hummrich, Roman Knox, Shane Lanson, Wyatt Priest, Tobin Shanks, Skage Simonsen and Lane Warrington. Joining van der Lee as a graduate student, Brandon Terwege is back on the Hilltop for another season. The defender was selected by Houston Dynamo FC in the third round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft with the 57th overall pick. In the spring, he helped SMU to four shutouts and started in nine games, playing all 90 minutes in each. Six of last season's primary starters are part of this year's senior class.
ABOUT ATTENDANCE AT WASHBURNE
Fans will be welcome at Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium and bleachers will be provided on the east side of the track. The fan entrance will be at the southeast corner near Doak Walker Plaza. Food trucks and bathrooms will be provided at Ford Stadium.
UP NEXTÂ
The Mustangs head to Florida to face USF on Friday, Oct. 22. The match at Corbett Stadium is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT start on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerFriday, October 09
Thursday, October 08
Thursday, October 08
Thursday, October 08
