The Stetson Hatters kicked off their 2026 men's soccer season with a 3-1 defeat against No. 15 SMU. Freshman goalkeeper Murillo Mello made his debut, playing the first half of the match. Despite trailing by three goals, Stetson managed to score in the final moments thanks to Mauricio Restrepo, who netted his second collegiate goal. The Hatters recorded a total of seven shots, with only two on target. Stetson begins the season with a record of 0-1-0 and will next face UTRGV in Edinburg.

By the Numbers
  • Stetson had 7 total shots, 2 on goal.
  • Mauricio Restrepo scored 1 goal in the 89th minute, marking his second career goal.
State of Play
  • The Hatters are now 0-1-0 to start the season.
  • No. 15 SMU improves to 1-0-0 after the victory.
What's Next

Stetson will continue their season-opening road trip by playing against UTRGV on August 23 at 11 a.m. ET, with the match available for streaming on ESPN+.

Bottom Line

While the Hatters faced a tough opponent in SMU, the late goal by Restrepo signifies potential for growth as they head into their next match. The team's future performance will hinge on building off this foundation and improving their offensive efficiency.