SMU (1-0-0, 1-0-0 AAC) vs. ECU (1-3-2, 1-1-2 AAC)
Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium - Dallas, Texas
Sunday, March 21, 2021 – 1 p.m. CT
Live Stats | Watch: ESPN+
SMU Game Notes (PDF) | ECU | American (PDF)
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SMU hosts its home opener this Sunday, March 21 at 1 p.m. CT. The game will be played at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium and will be streamed on ESPN+. Home matches during the 2020-21 season are closed to the general public.

SERIES HISTORY
This will be the 17th matchup against ECU, playing every year since but two since 2005. The two last met in the 2019 season on Senior Day for the Mustangs, who won the contest, 4-0. Four different Mustangs scored, including this season's leading goal-scorer Jewel Boland. SMU is 5-1 when playing in Dallas, with the only home loss to the Pirates coming in 2011 with a 1-0 OT final.

SCOUTING ECU
ECU is 1-3-2 overall and 1-1-2 in conference play this season. The Pirates found a 1-0 win against Houston in overtime. In their last match, ECU tied 1-1 at UCF after playing to double overtime. Madie Knaggs scored the tying goal in the 81st minute for the Pirates. Maeve English was named the conference Goalkeeper of the Week after making seven saves against the Knights. 17 players on ECU's roster are upperclassmen and 14 freshmen joined the team for this season.

LAST TIME OUT
SMU started its long-awaited season with a 3-1 win at Temple. Jewel Boland scored twice accompained by a goal from Wayny Balata to secure the win. Boland and Alina Khan both recorded an assist. Keeper Samantha Estrada got the win in goal with five saves. Six Mustangs saw their first collegiate minutes in Philadelphia.

RETURNING MUSTANGS
A total of 13 Mustangs are returning for the unprecedented 2020-21 spring season. In 2019, SMU finished with a 12-7-1 overall record and 4-5 in conference, to give them a fifth place AAC finish. This season's offense will be led by returners Celiana Torres, Jewel Boland, Courtney Sebazco and Wayny Balata. The four scored a combined 11 goals in 2019 and tallied 18 assists. SMU's backline will be led by returners Brooke Golik and Sophie Adler, who helped the Mustangs to nine shutouts. All three of SMU's goalkeepers return to the roster this season, including 2018 standout Samantha Estrada.

NEW MUSTANG TALENT
Nine freshman and one transfer will be available for the Mustangs during the 2020-21 season. SMU's freshmen arrived at the Hilltop from all over, including areas of Texas, Colorado, Washington, Vermont, California and Spain. Transfer Alina Khan, originally from Houston, joined the Mustangs after spending a year at Colorado State.

2020-21 PRESEASON HONORS
SMU was selected to finish fourth in the American Athletic Conference and received one first place vote in the preseason poll. Junior midfielder Celiana Torres was named a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Conference team. 

2019 HIGHLIGHTS
SMU's 12-7-1 record was the fourth consecutive 10-win campaign. The Mustangs found their highest spot in the United Soccer Coaches poll at No. 22 in Oct. of 2019 after starting the season with only one loss in the first nine matches. The Mustangs started the season earning some big wins in non-conference play over opponents such as Northwestern and Oklahoma and a ended with a tie at Oklahoma State. SMU shut out three conference opponents and earned a 3-2 win over Houston on Senior Day to wrap up regular season play. In the conference tournament, the Mustangs defeated Cincinnati in the first round with a 1-0 final before falling to No. 1 seed Memphis, 4-2 in the semifinal match.

2019 SEASON HONORS
•     Hannah Allred -- Weekly Honor Roll (Aug. 27), Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 16)
•     Wayny Balata -- Weekly Honor Roll (Oct. 28), All-Rookie Team
•     Jewel Boland -- Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 2)
•     Katharine Herron -- Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 16), CoSIDA Academic All-District First-Team
•     Mary Meehan -- Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 2)
•     Tatum Sutherland -- Weekly Honor Roll (Aug. 27), All-Rookie Team
•     Allie Thornton -- Weekly Honor Roll (Sept. 9), Offensive Player of the Week (Sept. 23), All-Conference First Team, United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team
•     Celiana Torres -- Weekly Honor Roll (Oct. 21), All-Conference First Team, United Soccer Coaches All-South Region Second Team'

ABOUT ATTENDANCE
Due to SMU's COVID-19 protocols, the general public will not be allowed at games at Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium this season.

ESPN+ COVERAGE
This season, all of SMU's home games will be featured on ESPN+ along with a select few away games. Stay up-to-date on coverage information on SMUMustangs.com.

UP NEXT
The Mustangs hosts USF for a midweek match on Thursday, March 25 at Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium starting at 6 p.m. CT. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.