SMU Soccer Clinches ACC Regular-Season Title
The SMU men's soccer team secured the conference title after a draw against Louisville.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Soccer
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The SMU men's soccer team claimed the Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season title after tying Louisville 1-1 at Washburne Soccer Stadium. This victory marks the first ACC regular-season title for an SMU program since the university joined the conference in 2024.
Why it matters
The regular-season title grants SMU a crucial first-round bye in the upcoming ACC tournament, positioning the team favorably for the postseason. This achievement highlights the successful transition of the program into the competitive ACC landscape.
SMU finished the regular season with 10 clean sheets across 15 games. Landon Hickam scored the equalizer for SMU in the 87th minute, while Cooper Olson recorded a goal for Louisville in the 28th minute.
The players
SMU men's soccer team
The athletic program based in Dallas that recently joined the ACC.
Landon Hickam
The player who secured the late-match equalizer in the 87th minute to help SMU clinch the title.
Cooper Olson
The Louisville player who provided the opening goal for his team in the 28th minute.
Tweneboa Kodua
The player who was ejected during the second half of the match against SMU.
The details
SMU maintained an undefeated season while managing defensive stability that limited opponents to just six goals. The match featured a tense second half where Tweneboa Kodua was ejected in the 60th minute, ultimately ending in a 1-1 tie that secured the outright title for the Dallas-based team.
Timeline
2000: Program reached NCAA semifinal round
2001: SMU was ranked No. 1 in the nation
2005: Program reached NCAA semifinal round
2024: SMU joined the ACC
October 30, 2026: SMU tied Louisville to win regular-season title
Season Trajectory
Securing the regular-season title shifts SMU from a competitive newcomer to a front-runner entering the postseason. This performance strengthens their momentum toward the ACC tournament as they look to build on the team's historical success from the early 2000s.
The conference title win guarantees SMU a first-round bye in the ACC tournament, allowing the team to rest before their match on Nov. 8. Fans should anticipate a higher seed placement for the squad as they enter the postseason bracket.
The takeaway
SMU's undefeated regular season underscores the effectiveness of their defensive-first approach that kept clean sheets in two-thirds of their games. Maintaining focus during high-stakes games remains the primary key for the team as they head into the single-elimination tournament format.
What happens next
The ACC tournament begins Wednesday, and SMU is scheduled to host its first tournament match on Nov. 8.
Further reading
For more on the latest local athletic results, visit our Soccer coverage section.
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