SMU (0-0-0, 0-0-0 ACC) vs. Air Force (0-0-0, 0-0-0 WAC)
Washburne Stadium - Dallas, Texas
Thursday, Aug. 22 | 8:30 p.m. (CT)
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DALLAS (SMU) – Cesar Ruvalcaba came to SMU because of the high standard. For the last three years, he was a stalwart at Cal Poly Pomona, anchoring the team's defense as a two-year captain while starting 60 of the last 61 matches. With the opportunity to pursue a graduate degree, Ruvalcaba was looking for a place that demanded excellence on the pitch. As one of the top men's soccer programs, SMU already fit that criteria.
Transitioning to competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024 just added an additional layer.
"It's definitely something new from what I've been used to," Ruvalcaba said of his change in surroundings. "Coming from a Division II school, the environment is a lot more focused on getting the job done, focusing on finding ways to be successful. I know being an SMU Mustang, it carries some weight to it, but it's a good pressure to have. It holds me accountable."
The journey into college soccer's most elite conference officially starts Thursday as the Mustangs host Air Force at 8:30 p.m. in the first nonconference match of the season.
SMU has never shied away from challenges, leading to a nationally strong reputation. Since its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1979, the Mustangs have been back to the postseason 35 times with two trips to the College Cup. The program is credited with 10 conference tournament titles and 21 league regular season championships.
For many years, SMU was the standard bearer in men's soccer for the league they competed in. Now, the Mustangs are looking to measure themselves consistently against the country's elite.
Ten of the top 25 teams in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll hail from the ACC, including half of the top 10. Defending national champion Clemson is No. 1, followed by last year's runner-up, Notre Dame. SMU is right among them at 10th in the rankings.
Nine of the top 16 seeds from the 2023 NCAA Tournament now compete in the league and between the 15 teams currently in the ACC there are a combined 20 national titles all-time.
There have always been regular season matches with high stakes at SMU. Now, every game seems to carry that type of weight, something coach Kevin Hudson believes his players are ready to embrace.
"You don't pick to come to SMU because you want the easy path. These guys want a challenge and they want to play against the best and they want the opportunity to develop and have a chance to be a professional, and this puts your right in that window against the best," Hudson said. "We've got to look at it as an unbelievable opportunity for us to show everybody what SMU is about."
To continue meeting that standard, the Mustangs must find a rhythm with some new faces. This offseason, the team added 14 new players and will have to replace numerous starters from last year's squad, including their leading scorer and goalie. But Bailey Sparks, the lone SMU player on the ACC Preseason Watchlist, says the challenge of connecting the returners with the incoming talent has been a rewarding experience. Everyone is focused on navigating the new landscape of competition together.
The Mustangs have never backed down from a challenge and even while everything around them changes, that never will.
"As a soccer player, that's kind of what you strive for daily. You want to play the best competition and you want to push yourself to be the best you can be," Sparks said. "Day-in and day-out, all the guys have come into work and put their best in for that day and try to get one percent better each day."
