The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer’s McDonald, Villarreal headline SEC honors
10.30.2025 | Soccer
McDonald becomes ninth Longhorn to earn Newcomer/Freshman of the Year distinction
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas student-athletes Ava McDonald and Amalia Villarreal were recognized with 2025 SEC Soccer Awards, the league office announced Thursday morning.
McDonald was named the conference's Freshman of the Year and earned spots on both the 11-player All-SEC Second Team and All-Freshman Team.
The 5-foot-7 forward is the ninth Longhorn in program history — including the sixth in the past decade — to earn Newcomer/Freshman of the Year honors during their debut campaign. She joins Katie McBain (2000), Kelly Wilson (2001), Kasey Moore (2005), Cyera Hintzen (2016), Haley Berg (2017), Julia Grosso (2018), Lexi Missimo (2021) and Villarreal (2024).
Meanwhile, Villarreal garnered All-SEC Second Team recognition for the second straight season. In 2024, the Lansing, Mich., native was also tabbed the SEC Freshman of the Year and collected All-Freshman Team distinction.
During the regular season, McDonald paced all SEC freshmen in goals (nine), points (22), shots (67) and shots on goal (32). In league play, she led all conference newcomers in five different offensive categories, highlighted by her six goals, four assists and 16 points.
McDonald was the lone freshman in the conference to notch at least a pair of braces, as she mounted three multi-goal efforts. The Allen, Texas, native became the first Longhorn freshman to register three braces since Trinity Byars in 2021.
As of Oct. 30, no rookie nationally has more goals, points, shots and shots on goal than McDonald.
After bursting onto the scene a year ago, Villarreal delivered another standout campaign on The Forty Acres. The sophomore recorded eight tallies and two assists, totaling 18 points in 17 starts. Villarreal logged 1,514 minutes, coming off the pitch for just 16 minutes.
Across conference contests, she mounted five goals, which were second-most at her position, trailing only SEC Midfielder of the Year Ally Perry's six tallies.
Overall, Villarreal ranked third in the league in shots (62) and shots on goal (29), while tying for seventh in goals.
The complete list of SEC postseason awards and all-conference teams can be seen HERE.
