ABILENE, Texas - Postseason soccer arrives in Abilene Tuesday night as the No. 3-seeded McMurry University women's soccer team hosts No. 6 seed East Texas Baptist University in the quarterfinals of the 2026 American Southwest Conference Championship Tournament. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on November 3. While McMurry is the official host, the match will be played across town at Abilene Christian University's Elmer Gray Stadium.

At stake is a trip to the conference final four. The winner advances to face No. 2-seeded Mary Hardin-Baylor in the ASC semifinals on Thursday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Hardin-Simmons Soccer Complex.

McMurry (9-5-2, 5-3-2 ASC) enters the postseason playing confident soccer, riding a five-match unbeaten streak (4-0-1). The War Hawks' defense is anchored by senior center back Halin Griffith, named the 2026 ASC Defensive Player of the Year after leading a unit that surrendered just 17 goals in 16 regular-season contests. Griffith played 1,383 minutes and added three goals on set pieces. Behind her, goalkeeper Cadence Foulkrod holds the net with a 1.01 goals-against average, 55 saves, and five solo shutouts. Offensively, junior forward Laila Brown leads with 10 goals and 22 points, supported by Hailey Andrle (4 goals) and Genevieve Dorasami (3 goals).

East Texas Baptist (5-10-2, 1-7-2 ASC) arrives in Abilene battle-tested and eager to flip the script in the postseason. Despite a tough conference slate, the Tigers proved they can push McMurry to the limit. In their two meetings, ETBU earned a 1-1 draw at home on October 10 before losing a close 1-0 decision in Abilene on October 17. Brown scored McMurry's lone goal in each contest, while ETBU's leading scorer, Caroline Smith (5 goals, 10 points), answered for the Tigers in Marshall. The Tiger defense is anchored by veteran goalkeeper Taylor Lauster, who recorded 86 saves this season and made 13 combined stops in the two prior matchups.

To secure victory and advance, McMurry will look to dictate the tempo and pressure the Tiger defense. The War Hawks average 13.9 shots per match, providing the firepower to break down an ETBU squad that surrendered 1.76 goals per contest during the regular season. McMurry's offense must capitalize on scoring chances to overcome a resilient ETBU goalkeeper who made 13 combined saves against them in two previous meetings. If McMurry sustains its attacking rhythm while maintaining strong defense, the team will be in prime position to reach Thursday's semifinal.

Admission is $10 for all spectators. ASC students are admitted free with a student ID, and children 5 and under are free. Fans can purchase tickets in advance online via Tickets - McMurry University Athletics.