The No. 8 SMU Mustangs defeated to the eighth-seeded Cincinnati Bearcats 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship on Nov. 7 in Dallas.
The two teams met earlier in the season in Ohio, resulting in the then No. 21 Mustangs winning a 1-0 double overtime thriller. This time, no extra time was needed.
The first half was a battle. Cincinnati accumulated eight fouls and a yellow card, continuing a trend of physicality that opponents have taken against the Mustangs in recent games.
SMU used its speed to stay on the attack for the majority of the half.