Cowboys Set For NCAA Opening Round Game

NCAA Game Notes

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons' men's soccer team will open its quest for a national championship on Thursday when it plays the first round of the NCAA Championship Tournament at Mary Hardin-Baylor at 1 p.m. at the Cru Sports Complex in Belton.

The Cowboys, who go into the tournament with a record of 10-2-6, advanced to the NCAAs by virtue of a 4-2 shootout win over Mary Hardin-Baylor on Sunday in Belton in the finals of the American Southwest Conference Tournament. The game will be the third time in the last three weeks the two teams have met in Belton.

HSU has a balanced attack offensively as Isaiah Hicks and Zach Johnson lead the team with four goals each and six other players have at least two goals on the year. The Cowboys have relied on a stingy defense that has allowed only 13 goals this season and only five in ASC action. Logan Waters has a 0.64 goals against average which is the best in school history for a season.

Hardin-Simmons is making its sixth trip to the NCAA Tournament in school history.

Mary Hardin-Baylor is 14-3-1 on the year. They are coached by former Hardin-Simmons standout Brad Bankhead. Bo Baker and Trevor Shoppach leads the Cru with seven goals each. Goalkeeper Mark Miller has a 0.61 goals against average and he has 11 shutouts on the year. He had 10 stops in the 1-0 UMHB win on Oct. 23.  

The winner of the game will advance to play Trinity on Sunday at 6 p.m. in San Antonio.

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