A Defensive Masterclass in Dallas
Sunday evening lights will shine on Washburne Stadium as the SMU Mustangs welcome the Incarnate Word Cardinals for a 7 p.m. CT contest, with admission free for all fans.
What makes the matchup especially compelling is the Mustangs' immaculate home record this season; not a single goal has slipped past SMU's backline in their two opening fixtures, a shutout against North Texas and a 0‑0 draw with Boise State that showcased a disciplined defense.
At the forefront of that effort are senior forwards Libby Janereth and Julianne Richter, who have already combined for three points, including Janereth's first career goal against North Texas and Richter's two assists that have sparked the offense.
Coach Nicole Nelson, now in her fifth year at the helm, has bolstered the staff with new assistants Chassion Griggs and Nick Petrucelli, while the roster has welcomed 17 newcomers, among them midfielder Brooke Bunton, a U‑18 national team call‑up who adds depth and creativity.
The team’s early success has not gone unnoticed; SMU earned votes in the latest IWSOC/United Soccer Coaches poll for the first time since 2022, and analysts have placed the Mustangs 14th in the ACC preseason rankings, a respectable jump from previous seasons.
If the Mustangs can preserve a clean sheet against Incarnate Word, it would mark the first three‑game shutout streak for SMU since 2019, underscoring the program’s resurgence after 41 years of women's soccer and reinforcing Nelson’s vision for the future.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming match also pits SMU against a slate of nationally ranked opponents, including No. 1 Stanford, No. 3 Duke, No. 5 Vanderbilt, No. 8 North Carolina, No. 11 Virginia and No. 23 Texas Tech, promising a challenging but exciting stretch.