BELTON, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer team earned a 6-0 win over Howard Payne University Thursday evening in Belton. The win advances the Cru to the American Southwest Conference Championship match with a 13-2-4 record.
 
Alex Bethke scored back-to-back goals in the fourth and seventh minutes off assists from Jackson Whitley and Martin Valdes, putting the Cru ahead 2-0. UMHB outshot the Yellow Jackets 11-2 in the first half, putting seven shots on goal.
 
Peyton Hoyt put another goal on the board for the Cru, one-touching a pass from Aidan Aguilera-Reeves for a 3-0 lead. Grayson Bowler tacked on another goal in the 59^th minute, hitting a free kick into the top right corner for a four-goal margin. Miguel Garza added a 79^th minute goal, scoring off a pass from Isaiah Pullen for a 5-0 lead. Arnold Perez Valenzuela Jr. assisted a final goal scored by Jose Gomez in the 89^th minute, sealing the 6-0 victory.
 
Alex Bethke and Martin Valdes led the Cru with three shots as UMHB outshot the Yellow Jackets 22-4 in the contest. The Cru allowed Howard Payne just one shot on frame in the win.
 
UMHB returns to action in the 2025 American Southwest Conference Championship on Saturday, November 8^th against Hardin-Simmons University at the UMHB Soccer Field in Belton.