No. 9/13 SMU (1-0-0, 0-0-0 AAC) vs. Houston Baptist (1-1-0, 0-0-0 WAC)
Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium - Dallas, Texas
Thursday, September 2, 2021 – 7 p.m. CT
Live Stats | Watch: ESPN+
SMU Game Notes (PDF) | Houston Baptist | American (PDF)
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The Mustangs take on the Houston Baptist Huskies this Thursday, Sept. 2. Action at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium is slated for a 7 p.m. start and will be streamed on ESPN+.

SERIES HISTORY 
Thursday marks the eighth all-time meeting between SMU and Houston Baptist and the fourth since 2015. The latest contest between the Mustangs and Huskies was on September 2, 2019 when SMU defeated Houston Baptist 7-1. Current Mustangs Knut Ahlander (5), Thomas Haney (2) and Wyatt Priest (2) all tallied shots during the contest. All five of SMU's wins over Houston Baptist have been in Dallas at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium, with the Mustangs dropping just one contest on the Hilltop.

KNOW THE FOE 
Houston Baptist has started the season with a 1-1 record after winning its season-opener 1-0 against St. Thomas (Minnesota) before falling to FAU 5-2. 2020 All-WAC honorable mention selections midfielder Gianluca Natera and forward Bryant Farkarlun return to the team. Natera tallied two goals during the 2020 spring season while Farkarlun finished with a team-leading three goals and two assists. The Huskies finished the postponed 2020 season with a 0-9-2 record, including a 0-9-1 finish against WAC opponents. Houston Baptist added five freshmen to their roster for 2021 while four seniors and two graduate students lead the way.

LAST TIME OUT
SMU started off the season strong with a 3-1 victory over No. 8 Stanford last Thursday at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium. Kyran Chambron Pinho assisted Papa Ndoye, who scored the first Mustang goal of the season during the 28th minute to tie the game at 1-1 after the Cardinal scored in the 10th. Gabriel Costa tallied two goals within 15 seconds of each other to earn the 3-1 win as he scored off his rebounded penalty kick then buried a shot that went over the Cardinal keeper's head from near the midfield line. Cole Johnson earned the win with a one-save performance in goal as he made his first start of the season.

MUSTANGS IN THE RANKINGS
SMU cracked into the United Soccer Coaches poll on Aug. 31 as the Mustangs came in at No. 9 after defeating then-No. 8 Stanford 3-1. The Mustangs moved up to No. 13 in the Top Drawer Soccer poll after coming in at No. 22 in the preseason poll.

2021 HONORS

• Kyran Chambron Pinho - AAC Rookie of the Week (Aug. 30)
• Gabriel Costa - AAC Offensive Player of the Week (Aug. 30), TDS/CSN Team of the Week (Aug. 31)

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.

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 faces Denver on Monday, Sept. 6 back at Washburne Soccer and Track Stadium. Action is slated to start at 7 p.m. on ESPN+.