IRVING, Texas – A first half penalty kick was the difference as No. 3 seed South Florida defeated No. 2 seed SMU 1-0 to advance to the American Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Championship on Thursday, November 10 a the FIU Soccer Stadium.
 
With the win, South Florida (8-5-4) will face the winner of No. 1 FIU and No. 5 Memphis on Sunday, November 13 at 1 p.m. ET/noon CT on ESPN+. It will be South Florida’s fourth appearance in the Championship final (2013, 2014, 2016). SMU dropped to 10-5-1 with the loss.
 
The first half stood even with both goalkeepers coming away with a save, until the 30^th minute. Following a foul on the Mustangs in the box, the Bulls had a chance at a penalty kick. Alfred Perez took his shot, which SMU goalkeeper Bram Kaarsgaren got a hand on, but the ball ricocheted into the net.
 
The American Offensive Player of the Year Knut Ahlander had a chance to tie the match with a penalty of his own in the 69^th minute but pushed it wide left of the goal.
 
The Mustangs were able fire off 18 shots, but only three were on target. South Florida’s Jackson Weyman finished with three saves in the win. Kaarsgaren saved six shots for the Mustangs.
 
 
2022 American Athletic Conference Men's Soccer Championship Schedule
First round at campus sites
Semifinals and final at home site of the No. 1 seed FIU
(all times Eastern)
 
First Round - Sunday, November 6
Game 1 - No. 3 South Florida 2, No. 6 Charlotte 1
Game 2 - No. 5 Memphis 2, No. 4 Tulsa 1 (OT)
 
Semifinals - Thursday, November 10
Game 3 – No. 3 South Florida 1, No. 2 SMU 0
Game 4 – No. 5 Memphis at No. 1 FIU | 7 P.M. ET | ESPN+
 
Championship Final - Sunday, November 13
Game 5 - Semifinal Winners | 1 P.M. ET | ESPN+