SMU Men’s Soccer Advances to ACC Championship Semifinals, Faces Syracuse in Rematch
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The No. 25 SMU Mustangs are set to clash with Syracuse in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship semifinals on Thursday, November 13th, at 7 p.m. CT, marking a pivotal moment in the program’s ACC journey. The match, to be held at First Horizon Stadium at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina, will be broadcast on ACCN, offering fans a chance to witness a high-stakes contest between two formidable teams.
Mustangs Ride Momentum from Stanford Victory
SMU secured its place in the semifinals with a decisive 1-0 victory over No. 7 Stanford in the quarterfinal round, demonstrating their ability to perform under pressure against top-ranked opponents. This win builds on a season marked by resilience and strategic play, positioning the Mustangs as a serious contender in the ACC Championship.
A Familiar Foe: Scouting Syracuse
This semifinal matchup represents a second encounter between SMU and Syracuse this season. Their initial meeting on October 11th resulted in a 2-0 victory for Syracuse on their home turf. However, despite the loss, the Mustangs displayed strong offensive intent, dominating possession with 57% of the ball and outshooting the Orange 10 to 6.
Soghomonian Leads the Charge
Spearheading SMU’s attack is Stephan Soghomonian, the team’s leading goalscorer with an impressive 11 goals this season. Soghomonian’s recent form has been exceptional, earning him ACC Offensive Player of the Week honors on both October 7th and October 21st. He currently ranks as the ACC’s second-highest scorer in conference play, having netted six goals against ACC teams in the regular season. His ability to find the back of the net is undeniable, highlighted by recent hat tricks against California on October 3rd and Boston College on October 18th. In fact, Soghomonian became the first Mustang to achieve a hat trick in nearly two years, surpassing Jelldrik Dallmann’s previous feat against Temple on November 9, 2023. Remarkably, he accomplished this against Cal with just 44 minutes of playing time.
Starnes Anchors a Stout Defense
On the defensive end, Slade Starnes has been a commanding presence, recognized twice as the ACC Defensive Player of the Week on September 30th and October 28th. Starnes captained the Mustangs’ backline to a historic shutout, handing No. 1 Stanford their first draw and loss at home this season. The Mustangs’ defense, under Starnes’ leadership, has consistently limited opponents, holding them to an average of just 8.6 shot attempts per game and restricting five teams – Boston College, Cal, LMU, Oral Roberts, and Virginia – to five shots or fewer.
Battle-Tested Against Top Competition
SMU has proven its ability to compete with the nation’s best, boasting a 2-1-3 record against Top-25 teams this season. Beyond the recent win at No. 7 Stanford, the Mustangs secured a ranked victory at No. 21 Notre Dame on September 27th. They also earned commendable draws against No. 2 Clemson and No. 18 Kansas City. Last season, SMU finished with a 4-3-3 record against top-25 opponents before falling in the NCAA Quarterfinals to No. 8 Marshall.
Syracuse Advances with Dominant Win
Syracuse enters the semifinal match with momentum of its own, having defeated No. 3 seed NC State 3-0 to secure its place in the final four. Carlos Zambrano leads the Orange offense with five goals and three assists this season, posing a significant threat to the SMU defense.
Championship Pedigree and Future Prospects
SMU boasts a rich history of success, having won 10 conference tournament titles. While this is only their second ACC Championship appearance, the Mustangs have already reached the quarterfinals in both seasons, falling to Wake Forest in a penalty shootout in their inaugural year. This semifinal appearance marks a new milestone for the program, signaling their growing competitiveness within the conference. Looking ahead, Washburne Stadium, SMU’s home field, has been selected as an official training ground for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, further elevating the university’s profile in the world of soccer.
The SMU Mustangs will need a complete team effort to overcome Syracuse and advance to the ACC Championship final, building on their strong performances against ranked opponents and capitalizing on the offensive prowess of Stephan Soghomonian and the defensive stability provided by Slade Starnes.
