DALLAS – When Sam Estrada looks ahead, she sees what the SMU women's soccer team can still achieve. 

The 2023 regular season schedule is rapidly drawing to a close, with three games remaining, all in DFW Metroplex. That includes the final two home games with East Carolina on October 19 and senior night against Charlotte on October 22, followed by one last road trip to North Texas on October 26.  

"I think the message is that we're capable. We have the capabilities as a team, as individuals to lead each other and lead ourselves and encourage each other," Estrada said. "We can get to a conference championship and into the NCAAs again. We are capable. It's not a far-fetched goal."

If the year were to end before these final three games, SMU would finish second in the American Athletic Conference's Western Division standings and be the fourth overall seed for the upcoming league tournament. The top eight overall finishers in the AAC earn a bid to the event in Lakewood Ranch, Fla. 

"At the end of the day, it comes down to controlling the controllables and really taking it one game at a time. And within those games, I think it's just important to be consistent," said senior Wayny Balata. "I feel like we're in a good spot and it can only get better from here. I feel like the team is in a good spot, we're not too worried, but there is still more work to be done. I like where we're at, but we can't settle, we can't get complacent."

As of October 18, SMU (7-4-1 overall, 3-2-1 AAC) sits 62nd in the NCAA women's soccer RPI rankings. The team owns a nonconference win over top 25 Tennessee and played conference frontrunner Memphis (No. 13 in the RPI) to a 2-1 loss back in late September. SMU is the only AAC team to score against the Tigers and one of only four teams to score against them all season. 

For Balata, Estrada and several other SMU players, the next three games represent a final chance to set themselves up for a special finish to the season and their careers. 

It's a mixed set of emotions the veterans are balancing, a blend of determination to win with the realization that the end of their respective journeys at SMU are coming soon. But that only makes the finish that lies ahead even more special. 

"It is a little hard but it's also encouraging and motivating at the same time," Estrada said. "You get to show the younger ones what your process has been like, what your journey has been like and you get to share those moments. I hope these girls are grateful because I'm grateful to get to share my last moments at SMU with them."