DALLAS, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor is predicted to win the 2024 American Southwest Conference Champion title after gathering 49 points and nine first-place votes in the 2024 ASC Preseason Men’s Soccer Poll, released Wednesday. Conference head coaches and sports information directors eligible for postseason play voted on the order of finish.
Mary Hardin-Baylor junior forward Alex Bethke was selected Preseason Offensive Player of the Year and Cru senior defender Chase Duhon was Preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Bethke was All-ASC First Team in 2023, as he ranked fourth in the league with five goals, including two game-winners and a penalty goal. He also added two assists and shot 16 of 31 shots on goal. Duhon was selected ASC Co-Defensive Player of the Year for the 2023 campaign and received All-ASC First Team honors. He led a backline that recorded six shutouts and allowed just 19 goals.
Mary Hardin-Baylor won the ASC Regular Season title last season with a 7-1 conference record. The Cru posted a 9-5-2 overall record and led the ASC in goals per game (1.94), assists per game (1.625) and ranked second in goals allowed (19).
Hardin-Simmons notched the remaining first place vote and was selected second with 41 points. The Cowboys posted an 8-6-5 record and 5-1-2 conference record last season.
East Texas Baptist comes in third with 22 points after going 3-8-5 last season with a 1-6-1 conference mark. LeTourneau was predicted fourth with 21 points after a season at 6-5-5 overall and 1-3-4 in the ASC. Howard Payne closes the poll in fifth with 17 points going 3-12-2 last season with a 2-5-1 conference record.
UT Dallas will not count in the 2024 standings and are ineligible for both the ASC and NCAA Championships due to the Comets reclassifying to NCAA Division II.
17 soccer players were tabbed by coaches on the 2024 ASC Men’s Soccer Players to Watch List. This group includes: 2023 ASC Co-Defensive Player of the Year, Chase Duhon (UMHB), 2023 ASC Offensive Player of the Year, Riley O’Donnell (UTD), 2023 ASC Midfielder of the Year, Sawyer Young (UMHB), and 2023 Offensive Freshman of the Year, Caleb Nelson (LeTourneau).
Season play begins on August 30 for these teams.
2024 ASC Men’s Soccer Schedule
2024 ASC Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll
| Rank |
Team (1st votes) |
Pts. |
2023 Record (ASC) |
| 1. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor (9) |
49 |
9-5-2 (7-1) |
| 2. |
Hardin-Simmons (1) |
41 |
8-6-5 (5-1-2) |
| 3. |
East Texas Baptist |
22 |
3-8-5 (1-6-1) |
| 4. |
LeTourneau |
21 |
6-5-5 (1-3-4) |
| 5. |
Howard Payne |
17 |
3-12-2 (2-5-1) |
| $- |
UT Dallas |
-- |
10-6-5 (4-3-1) |
2024 ASC Preseason Players of the Year
Offense: Alex Bethke, F, Jr., Mary Hardin-Baylor
Defense: Chase Duhon, D, Sr., Mary Hardin-Baylor
2024 ASC Men’s Soccer Players to Watch
| Name |
Pos. |
Cl. |
Team |
Hometown |
| Alex Bethke* |
F |
Jr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Austin, Texas |
| Deaven Connelly* |
D |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Burleson, Texas |
| Chase Duhon* D |
D |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Allen, Texas |
| Leo Esteban |
MF |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Richmond, Texas |
| Dylan Garcia |
F |
So. |
East Texas Baptist |
Clovis, Calif. |
| Jerron Garcia* |
MF |
So. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Midland, Texas |
| Taylor Hefner* |
MF |
Sr. |
Howard Payne |
Stephenville, Texas |
| Kayson Marriott* |
D |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Frisco, Texas |
| Ethan Mauldin* |
F |
Jr. |
Howard Payne |
Weatherford, Texas |
| Emad Mohamed* |
MF |
Sr. |
LeTourneau |
Irving, Texas |
| Cole Morgan |
F |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Garland, Texas |
| Caleb Nelson* OF |
F |
So. |
LeTourneau |
Brownwood, Texas |
| Riley O’Donnell * O |
F |
Sr. |
UT Dallas |
Allen, Texas |
| Bridger Roberdeau |
D |
Sr. |
LeTourneau |
Spearfish, S.D. |
| Maxwell Winneker* |
MF |
Sr. |
Hardin-Simmons |
Coppell, Texas |
| Jacob Wenzel |
D |
Sr. |
East Texas Baptist |
Frisco, Texas |
| Sawyer Young* MF |
MF |
Sr. |
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
Plano, Texas |
2023 All-ASC Selection *
2023 ASC Offensive Player of the Year O
2023 ASC Defensive Player of the Year D
2023 ASC Midfielder of the Year MF
2023 ASC Offensive Freshman of the Year OF
Wilson is the official soccer ball of American Southwest Conference and used by all 6 members throughout the season and during the ASC tournament.