No. 5 SMU brings an unbeaten 6-0-1 record into Friday’s ACC home opener against NC State, a 2025 national runner-up coming off a ranked win.
No. 5 SMU has spent the first month of the season looking like one of the most complete teams in college soccer. Friday night, the Mustangs get another chance to prove it on a bigger stage.
SMU hosts NC State at 8 p.m. CT at Washburne Stadium in Dallas, with the matchup airing nationally on ACC Network. The Mustangs enter at 6-0-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, while the Wolfpack are 3-1-3 and 1-0-1 in conference action.
SMU’s numbers have been difficult to ignore.
The Mustangs have scored 22 goals while allowing only three through seven matches, giving them a plus-19 goal differential that ranks among the best in the nation.
They also lead the ACC in goals, assists and scoring production while posting a 0.43 goals-against average.
Senior wingback Jaylinn Mitchell has been one of the biggest reasons for that balance. Mitchell has two goals and five assists, giving him seven goal contributions from a position that demands work at both ends of the field.
Mitchell returned for his senior season after being selected in the first round of the MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota United, and he’s made no secret of what he wants his final year at SMU to mean.
“I’m the oldest of four siblings, so I just want to show them that you can do it and go to college,” Mitchell said.
SMU’s attack has also gotten major production from Mukisa Emmanuel, who has five goals, while Stephan Soghomonian has four.
The Mustangs are coming off a 3-1 road win at Pitt, where Mitchell, Soghomonian and Villads Landsperg all scored. SMU produced 14 shots despite holding just 38 percent possession, showing how dangerous the Mustangs can be in transition.
NC State presents a different kind of test.
The Wolfpack reached the national championship match last season and were picked to finish first in the ACC this year. Sophomore forward Russell Berko leads NC State with four goals and eight points through seven games.
He scored the only goal Tuesday in a 1-0 win over No. 23 UNCW, giving the Wolfpack their first ranked victory of the season.
History also favors NC State, which leads the all-time series 2-1 and won the most recent meeting 5-1 in 2024.
But this SMU team looks considerably different now.
The Mustangs are unbeaten, explosive and defending at an elite level. Friday’s ACC home opener should reveal just how far that combination can carry them.
