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No. 16 SMU (5-1-3, 2-1-0 ACC) vs. UTRGV (2-3-1, 0-0-0 WAC)
Washburne Stadium - Dallas, Texas
Sunday, Sep. 29 | 7 p.m. (CT)
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DALLAS (SMU) – No. 16 SMU will host UTRGV for their seventh non-conference match of the season, Sunday.

The Mustangs are undefeated in non-conference play with a 3-0-3 record, which includes a 1-0 win over No. 6 Saint Louis and a 2-2 draw against No. 9 Denver.

Mustangs vs. Vaqueros

• This match will be the eighth meeting between the Mustangs and the Vaqueros.
• SMU leads the series 7-0.
• All their past meetings were played in Dallas.
• Their previous meeting was SMU's 2023 season-opener where Jaylinn Mitchell scored the winner in his debut. The Muistangs won the match 2-1.

Wednesday Night at Washburne Stadium

• SMU drew 1-1 against FIU.
• While both teams were still getting into the flow of the match, FIU earned a penalty kick in the eighth minute. The visitors took the early as Bernardo Dos Santos converted the penalty kick.
• The momentum switched in favor of the Mustangs as the match progressed, but despite drawing multiple fouls in the final third and earning corners, SMU remained trailing until the final minutes of the first half.
• In the 41st minute, SMU drew a foul at the edge of the penalty box. Sparks swung a cross from the free kick spot, and Pope headed the ball to bring it down to Zarnick.
• Zarnick shot the ball with a strong one-timer for his second career goal. The California native has scored a goal in two consecutive matches.
• The first half ended with a level scoreline.
• The momentum stayed on the Mustangs' side at the start of the second half. SMU kept the ball FIU's half, earning 10 corner kicks in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
• SMU saw multiple chances, forcing 16 total corner kicks through the second half, but the score remained 1-1 at full-time.

Big Owen On The Board

• Owen Zarnick have scored two goals in as many matches.
• He scored his first college career goal against No. 13 Virginia Tech and follows it up with his second career goal against FIU.
• Both of his goals were created from a set piece.

United Soccer Coaches Polls

• After week four, the Mustangs were ranked 16th in the United Soccer Coaches Polls.
• This week, six ACC teams were ranked in the top 25, covering the first, second, and third-rank spots. Pitt tops the rankings, followed by Stanford in second place and UNC in third. Clemson (12th), SMU (16th) and Virginia Tech (17th) rounds up the group.
• NC State is the only ACC side just outside the top 25 with seven votes.

NCAA Men's Soccer RPI Rankings

• SMU was ranked 20th in the first NCAA RPI rankings this season.
• Six ACC teams were ranked in the top 25 of RPI rankings. Pitt tops the rankings again, followed by Stanford at ninth place and Virginia Tech at 10th. Along with SMU at 20th, North Carolina (12th) and NC State (23rd) were also ranked in the top 25. 

Scouting the Vaqueros

• UTRGV is 2-3-1 this season and has not started conference play.
• The Vaqueros are coming off a 6-2 loss at Oral Roberts.
• Kgodiso Sukati leads UTRGV's offense with three goals and Cesar Baltazar is their leading creator with three assists.
• On goal, Fernando Carreon has 25 saves through six matches played.