No. 9 Soccer preview: LSU

AUSTIN, Texas – For the first time since Sept. 2007, The University of Texas and LSU women's soccer programs will meet on a soccer pitch when the two teams tangle at 7 p.m. CT on Thursday, Aug. 24.

The match can be viewed on the Longhorn Network or streamed on the ESPN app with a valid television subscription.

KICKING OFF

By being credited with an assist during Texas' six-goal victory over Rice on Sunday, Aug. 20, junior forward Trinity Byars became just the second student-athlete in program in history to score 30-or-more career goals (34) and be credited with 20-or-more assists (20). Byars achieved the feat in just 45 career matches as a member of the Longhorn women's soccer program.
- The Richardson, Texas native joins Kelly Wilson (2001-04) as the only student-athletes in program history to accomplish the feat.
  - Wilson concluded her collegiate soccer career with 44 goals and a program-leading 41 career assists, becoming the only student-athlete in program history to achieve a 40-40 career.
    - For comparison, Lexi Missimo — the closest active Longhorn to Wilson's career assist record — needs 20 more goals and six more assists to accomplish the feat. Byars — the closest active Longhorn to Wilson's career goals mark — needs 20 more assist and six more goals to reach 40-40.

With her seven points so far this season, junior midfielder Lexi Missimo now ranks fifth on the program's career points list with 74, passing Cyera Hintzen (2016-19) for fifth place during Sunday's victory against Rice. Additionally, Trinity Byars inched closer to a top three spot on the list following a 7-point performance against the Owls over the week as the junior forward now has 88 career points, 10 behind Kelsey Carpenter (2004-07) for third place.
- Byars' 88 career points are the most by any student-athlete in program history whose first name does not begin with the letter "K."

Texas Career Points Leaderboard

129, Kelly Wilson (2001-04)
110, Kelly McDonald (2001-04)
98, Kelsey Carpenter (2004-07)
88, Trinity Byars (2021-P)
74, Lexi Missimo (2021-P)

A win over LSU on Thursday night would mark the 200th home win for the Texas Longhorn women's soccer program.
- The Longhorns currently have a 199-66-25 (.729) all-time winning percentage in home matches entering Thursday's matchup with the Tigers.
  - Of those 199 home victories, 175 have happened at Mike A. Myers Stadium.

Texas Home Record by Venue

175-54-23, Mike A. Myers Stadium (1999-P)
18-11-2, Frank Denius Fields (1995-98)
6-1-0, Whitaker Field (1994)

Texas will be looking for its right win over LSU in a match played in Austin since Sept. 14, 2003, when the Longhorns won 4-3 in overtime.
- The last time the two programs met — Sept. 18, 2007— the teams tied 2-2 in double overtime.
- Texas is 3-0-1 all time against LSU but has not won in Austin during regulation since Nov. 4, 2001, when the Longhorns won 4-0.
- The Longhorns have scored four goals in three of their four matches against the Tigers.
  - Sept. 13, 2006: W, 4-2 (Baton Rouge, La.)
  - Sept. 14, 2003: W, 4-3 (OT) (Austin, Texas)
  - Nov. 4, 2001: W, 4-0 (Austin, Texas)

KEEP CLIMBING

After beginning the 2023 Division I women's soccer regular season ranked in the mid-teens, The University of Texas' women's soccer program has moved up multiple spots in weekly polls provided by College Soccer News, Top Drawer Soccer and the United Soccer Coaches association.
When the Longhorns take the pitch against the Tigers in less than 30 hours, Texas will be ranked as highly as No. 9 (United Soccer Coaches) across the three previously mentioned weekly polls. In the United Soccer Coaches' poll, the Longhorns are currently the highest-ranked Big 12 women's soccer program, followed by BYU (#11), TCU (#16) and UCF (#22); all of which are on Texas' schedule this season. In addition to that trio of conference opponents, West Virginia and Gonzaga — two more teams the Longhorns play this season — are currently receiving votes in the poll.
Texas also moved up to No. 12 and 13 in the Top Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News Top 25 rankings, respectively.

KNOWN AROUND HERE

In addition to being named the Big 12 Conference's Co-Offensive Player of the Week on Wednesday morning, Texas junior forward Trinity Byars was also named the College Soccer News National Player of the Week and to the Top Drawer Soccer Women's Team of the Week following her standpoint performance during the Longhorns' two wins last week.
Additionally, junior midfielder Lexi Missimo was an honorable mention selection to the Top Drawer Soccer Women's Team of the Week.

FOLLOW US

For the latest information on the team, follow @TexasSoccer on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. General athletic news can also be found at @TexasLonghorns on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

Players Mentioned

Trinity Byars

Lexi Missimo