Nov. 2, 2005

ABILENE, Texas - For the first time since the 2000 season, the Hardin-Simmons men's soccer team will play host to the American Southwest Conference Tournament this weekend at the HSU Soccer Complex.

The Cowboys, who are the No. 1 seed., earned the right to host the tournament by winning its last five games of the year. HSU has won the most ASC titles with five, but is looking for its first crown since the 2001 season.

Leading the late season surge has been junior forward David Salas. He has goals in five of the last six games. He was named the preseason ASC player of the year and has a good chance at the postseason honor. He leads the team with eight goals and six assists.

The Cowboy defense has been solid the last several games, allowing one or fewer goals in five of the last six games. Senior Ryan Shaughnessy has been solid in goal, not allowing a goal in two of the last three games.

HSU has a talented mix of experienced players and newcomers. HSU has six players that are playing their final season for the Cowboys and all but one has postseason experience.

The tournament will start on Friday with third-seeded Austin College (11-6-0) facing sixth seeded LeTourneau (10-9-1) at 10:30 a.m. at the HSU Soccer Complex. Fourth seeded UT-Dallas (9-6-3) and fifth seeded Schreiner (9-6-2) will play in the second game of the day at 1 p.m.

The Saturday semifinals will feature The University of the Ozarks (13-3-4) playing the winner of the Austin College and LeTourneau game on Saturday at 10:30 and Hardin-Simmons (11-4-2) facing the winner of the UT-Dallas/Schreiner game.

On Sunday, the championship will begin 20 minutes following the women's final and the winner will earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Championship.