LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – Wayny Balata scored two goals as No. 3 seed SMU advanced to the final of the 2023 American Athletic Conference Women’s Soccer Championship with a 3-0 win over No. 7 seed Florida Atlantic Thursday evening, November 2, at the Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch, Fla.
 
With the win, the Mustangs (11-5-1) advances to face Memphis in the final on Sunday, November 5 at 2 p.m. Eastern on ESPNU. SMU and Tigers met in the 2022 final, with Memphis coming out on top, 1-0 in overtime.
 
Just 2:34 into the match, Balata soared to meet a Mayu Inokawa corner to give SMU an early advantage. Balata doubled the lead in the ninth minute when she converted from the penalty spot.
 
Eliana Salama tallied the Mustangs’ third goal in the 81^st minute off a feed from Leah Chancey.
 
Both SMU’s Sam Estrada and Lexi Gonzalez of Florida Atlantic (8-7-5) recorded three saves each.
 
2023 American Women's Soccer Championship
Premier Sports Campus (Lakewood Ranch, Fla.)
 
Championship Schedule
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
QF1 - No. 1 Seed Memphis 2, No. 8 Seed UAB 1
QF2 - No. 5 Seed Charlotte 5, No. 4 Seed East Carolina 0
QF3 - No. 3 Seed SMU 2, No. 6 Seed Tulsa 1
QF4 - No. 7 Seed Florida Atlantic 1, No. 2 Seed South Florida 0
 
Thursday, November 2, 2023
SF1 – No. 1 Memphis 2, No. 5 Charlotte 0
SF2 – No. 3 SMU 3, No. 7 Florida Atlantic 0
 
Sunday, November 5, 2023
Championship Final – No. 3 SMU vs. No. 1 Memphis | 2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT | ESPNU