BELTON, Texas – Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer teams battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime.  Hardin-Simmons was able to secure the 2025 ASC Championship by winning the penalty kicks, 5-3.
 
Alex Bethke put the Cru up in the 25th minute, one-touching a free kick from Zachary Paclibar for a 1-0 lead. Hardin-Simmons scored the equalizer less than two minutes later off a header from Korbin Raef, knotting the game at one goal each. UMHB outshot the Cowboys 8-7 in the half with both teams putting three shots on frame.
 
Both teams saw second-half chances but neither was able to score, sending the game into overtime at a 1-1 tie. Neither team was able to score in either of the 10-minute overtime periods, resulting in penalty kicks to determine a champion.
 
Hardin-Simmons's Jerron Garcia made the first penalty kick into the right side of the goal but Bethke responded, finding the far left side to knot PKs at one. HSU made another kick into the right side of the frame but Aiden Aguilera-Reeves responded in the same spot for a 2-2 knot. Daniel Villagomez hit the Cowboys' third penalty kick goal before the Cru hit the crossbar on their attempt, giving the Cowboys 3-2 lead. Gabriel Rodriguez netted HSU's fourth goal but Karsen Macias found the left side to keep the Cru in it with HSU up 4-3. Benny Lube made the final shot for the Cowboys, securing the win for Hardin-Simmons.
 
UMHB outshot the Cowboys 23-13 in the contest, putting ten shots on frame. Grayson Bowler, Macias and Bethke each recorded four shots for the Cru. Hughston Taggard played the full 110 minute contest in the net, making four saves.  Leading HSU in goal was Carson Null, who played 110 minutes and made 9 saves, while Benny Lube had four shots and one assist and Raef had one shot and one goal.  
 
Hardin-Simmons advances to the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Tournament with the bracket to be announced on Monday, November 10^th. UMHB will await its fate as a potential at-large selection.

For all the championship box scores and stats visit the Tournament Central page. 

2025 ASC All-Tournament Team
- Daeven Connley, Howard Payne
- Xzavier Saldana, Howard Payne
- Junior Lopez, East Texas Baptist
- Jacob Wenzel, East Texas Baptist 
- Alex Bethke, Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Hughston Taggart, Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Jackson Whitley, Mary Hardin-Baylor
- Benny Lube, Hardin-Simmons
- Gabriel Sias, Hardin-Simmons
- Korbin Rawf, Hardin-Simmons

- Most Valubale Player -
- Carson Null, Hardin-Simmons