UMHB versus Howard Payne in Semifinal Action of the ASC Championship
Mary Hardin-Baylor
UMHB versus Howard Payne in Semifinal Action of the ASC Championship

Men's Soccer

The Cowboys from Hardin-Simmons and The Cru from Mary Hardin-Baylor Set to Meet for Men's Soccer Championship

BELTON, Texas – The ASC men's soccer championship will pair the Hardin-Simmons Cowboy's versus The Cru from Mary Hardin-Bayor.  Both HSU and UMHB won their semifinal games on Thursday in Belton, Texas.  The two teams will meet on the campus of Mary Hardin-Baylor Saturday, November 8th at 7:00 p.m. for the Championship.  

Semifinal Game #1 Recap - #2 HSU vs #3 ETBU
Hardin-Simmons' Cowboy soccer team advanced in the American Southwest Conference men's soccer tournament and look to repeat as ASC champs on Saturday after defeating East Texas Baptist, 2-0, Thursday afternoon at Cru Soccer Field, hosted by Mary Hardin-Baylor.
 
The Cowboys got off to a fast start when Korbin Raef found the back of the net in the third minute, assisted by Benny Lube, giving HSU an early 1-0 lead.
 
In the second half, the Cowboys added an insurance goal in the 84th minute to seal the win. Defensively, Carson Null recorded eight saves in goal, earning the shutout and keeping the Tigers scoreless.
 
HSU and head coach Brad Bankhead return to the ASC championship match for a chance to defend their ASC title from 2024 and repeat as ASC men's soccer champions for the first time since 2013 and 2014, when the Cowboys won two consecutive years.

Semifinal Game #2 Recap - #1 UMHB vs #4 HPU
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer team earned a 6-0 win over Howard Payne University Thursday evening in Belton. The win advances the Cru to the American Southwest Conference Championship match with a 13-2-4 record.
 
Alex Bethke scored back-to-back goals in the fourth and seventh minutes off assists from Jackson Whitley and Martin Valdes, putting the Cru ahead 2-0. UMHB outshot the Yellow Jackets 11-2 in the first half, putting seven shots on goal.

Peyton Hoyt put another goal on the board for the Cru, one-touching a pass from Aidan Aguilera-Reeves for a 3-0 lead. Grayson Bowler tacked on another goal in the 59th minute, hitting a free kick into the top right corner for a four-goal margin. Miguel Garza added a 79th minute goal, scoring off a pass from Isaiah Pullen for a 5-0 lead. Arnold Perez Valenzuela Jr. assisted a final goal scored by Jose Gomez in the 89th minute, sealing the 6-0 victory.
 
Alex Bethke and Martin Valdes led the Cru with three shots as UMHB outshot the Yellow Jackets 22-4 in the contest. The Cru allowed Howard Payne just one shot on frame in the win.

Follow all the action via the Tournament Central page.