SMU (0-0-0, 0-0-0 AAC) vs. No. 8 Stanford (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Pac-12)
Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium - Dallas, Texas
Thursday, August 26, 2021 – 7 p.m. CT
Live Stats | Watch: ESPN+
SMU Game Notes (PDF) | Stanford | American (PDF)
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SMU opens its 2021 season on Thursday at Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium as the Mustangs take on No. 8 Stanford. Action is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+.

SERIES HISTORY 
SMU and Stanford have faced off a total of eight times since their first meeting on September 29, 1989. The last meeting between the two powerhouse programs was on September 7, 2017 when the Mustangs traveled to play at Stanford. SMU lost the contest 3-1. The Mustangs' most recent win against the Cardinal was at the Cal Classic in Berkley, California as SMU earned a 2-0 victory on September 5 of 2008. 

KNOW THE FOE 
Stanford clocks in at No. 8 in the United Soccer Coaches National Preseason Poll and one spot up at No. 7 in the Top Drawer Soccer Preseason Poll. The Cardinal finished the spring 2021 season with a 10-3-1 record, including a 7-2-1 Pac-12 record and 3-1-0 non-conference record. The reigning Pac-12 champions played to the third round of the 2020 NCAA Tournament before falling 0-1 to UNC. Stanford was picked to finish at the top of the Pac-12 Conference as they return nine of its primary starters from last season, including reigning Pac-12 Player of the Year, forward Zach Ryan, and 2019 Pac-12 Freshman of the Year, forward/midfielder Ousseni Bouda.

RECAPPING LAST SEASON
The Mustangs finished their unusual spring 2020-21 season with a 5-5-1 record in a conference-only slate. During postseason play, No. 4 seed SMU fell in penalty kicks to No. 1 seed UCF in the semifinal match of the AAC Tournament after the second overtime period ended in a 1-1 tie. Papa Ndoye and Skage Simonsen helped lead the team offensively with six goals each while Gabriel Costa and Noah Hilt both recorded five assists. Cole Johnson and Shane Lanson shared the responsibilities in goal as they combined for a 1.16 goals against average and 35 total saves, including 25 from Johnson.

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 garnered two first-place votes in the 2021 AAC Preseason Coaches' Poll, where they came in at second, just one point behind first-place AAC. 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.

HUDSON VERSUS TOP-10
SMU Head Coach Kevin Hudson is 5-4-1 when playing against Top-10 teams during his tenure on the Hilltop. Hudson's highest-ranked Top-10 win was a victory over No. 2 Duke during the 2019 campaign. Other wins came over No. 10 Denver in 2015, No. 8 UConn in 2018. SMU defeated UCF twice during the 2019 season, once while the Knights were ranked fifth and once while ranked eighth. Two of the four losses have been in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Tournament when SMU dropped a contest to No. 5 Akron in 2015, No. 7 UNC in 2017 and No. 1 Virginia in 2019. The fourth came against No. 1 Stanford during the 2017 regular season. The Mustangs tied No. 7 UCF before winning the 2018 AAC Tournament Championship in penalty kicks 5-4.

NEW ADDITIONS
The Mustangs have added 11 freshmen and one transfer 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. Quentin van der Lee sits as the lone transfer addition, coming to the Hilltop as a graduate student from Trinity University. 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
Fans will be welcome at Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium and bleachers will be provided for seating 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 NEXT 
SMU is set to take on Houston Baptist next Thursday, September 2 at Washburne Soccer & Track Stadium starting at 7 p.m. CT.