DALLAS (SMU) – The SMU men's soccer team was voted third place, with 53 votes, in the 2023 American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll.
SMU enters the season looking to build on the momentum of its trip to the Second Round of NCAAs. This is head coach Kevin Hudson's ninth season at the helm of his alma mater.
The Mustangs enter the season ranked No. 19 in the United Soccer Coaches' Preseason Poll. The United Soccer Coaches named graduate transfer Jelldrik Dallmann and sophomore Alexander Patræus as Forwards to Watch for the upcoming season.
Patræus started in 16 matches last season, scoring four goals and leading the team and the AAC in assists with 10.
In goal, senior Cole Johnson returns. Last season the Arizona native logged seven starts, 21 saves and earned three shutouts. In 2020-21, he was also awarded AAC All-Rookie honors.
As for the defensive side of the pitch, junior Mads Westergren played and started in all seventeen games during his sophomore year. He scored two total which were game winning goals, and has been also named to the All-AAC First Team (2022), AAC All-Rookie Team (2021), AAC All-Tournament Team (2021).
The Mustangs open the season at Washburne Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 24 by hosting UTRGV at 8 p.m. Admission is free and there will be a team poster giveaway; fans looking to tune in from home can watch on ESPN+.
2023 American Athletic Conference Preseason Poll
Preseason Coaches' Poll
- FIU (5) 59
- Tulsa (3) 55
- SMU 53
- South Florida (1) 43
- Memphis 36
- Charlotte 33
- Florida Atlantic 22
- UAB 14
- Temple 9
(#) denotes first place votes
