The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
College of Charleston
Soccer preview: College of Charleston
08.30.2025 | Soccer
Longhorns conclude non-conference home slate against Cougars
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON vs. TEXAS
Date: Aug. 31, 2025
Where: Mike A. Myers Stadium
Time: 1 p.m.
TV: SEC Network+
Live stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
THE MATCHUP — The Longhorns wrap up their non-conference home slate, as Texas welcomes College of Charleston to Mike A. Myers Stadium. The Longhorns and Cougars have only met once on the pitch, squaring off on Aug. 26, 2016. Texas took down College of Charleston, 3-1, at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
KICKIN' IT WITH KELLY — A 26-year head coaching veteran, Ange Kelly is in her 14th season at the helm of Texas soccer. Since her arrival on The Forty Acres, the Longhorns have posted a 153-81-35 (.634) record. Kelly has guided Texas to eight NCAA Tournament appearances and three conference titles.
A LOOK AT THE LONGHORNS — Last season, Texas finished with a 17-4-2 mark and qualified for its 18th NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The Longhorns won the SEC Tournament title in their inaugural campaign in the league. Texas brings back 15 players from a year ago, comprising 34.1 percent of the minutes played in 2024. After a historic season, the Longhorns return just 27.5 percent of their goals, losing six of their top seven scorers.
NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES — Texas has 10 newcomers on the 2025 roster, with nine freshmen and one transfer. Freshmen Audrey Bryant, Sadie Hoch and Ava McDonald figure to play key roles early. The Longhorns' recruiting class was ranked sixth nationally and as the best in the SEC, according to Top Drawer Soccer.
THE EYES OF TEXAS ARE UPON YOU — Texas entered the 2025 campaign ranked in both preseason polls. The Longhorns were listed 19th in the United Soccer Coaches top 25, while slotting in at No. 20 in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings. Texas was picked second in the SEC Preseason Coaches' Poll, checking in only behind Arkansas.
STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE — With their highly-anticipated move to the SEC a year ago, the Longhorns will once again play one of the toughest schedules in the country. Texas is slated to face six teams in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, highlighted by No. 4 TCU and No. 12 South Carolina. The Longhorns will play eight matches away from Austin and nine of their contests on the friendly grounds at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
HOME SWEET HOME — Texas owns a 41-11-9 (.746) record at Mike A. Myers Stadium since the start of the 2020 season. Last year, the Longhorns went 10-1-2 in Austin, outscoring their opposition, 31-9, in those matches. Texas has managed to win double-digit contests at home in three consecutive years. Overall, the Longhorns have posted a 194-61-28 (.735) ledger at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
PRESEASON PRAISE — Ten Longhorns received preseason recognition from the SEC. Olivia Ahern, Arianna Brothers, Audrey Bryant, EmJ Cox, Sadie Hoch, Rosa Maalouf, Ava McDonald, Chloe Shimkin, Breana Thompson and Amalia all earned spots on the league's preseason watch list. Meanwhile, Villarreal was also identified as a forward to watch by the United Soccer Coaches and ranked as the 53rd-best overall player nationally by Top Drawer Soccer.
THE VILLARREAL DEAL — The 2024 SEC Freshman of the Year, Amalia Villarreal emerged as one of the best young players nationally. Villarreal became the eighth different Longhorn to earn Newcomer/Freshman of the Year honors, including the fifth in the eight seasons. In SEC action, the East Lansing, Mich., native paced all freshmen with 14 points, totaling five goals and four assists. Overall, Villarreal was one of just four SEC players to mount at least nine tallies and eight assists, joining Texas' Lexi Missimo, Arkansas' Ava Tankersley and South Carolina's Catherine Barry.
SHE'S BAAAAAAACK — A staple for the Longhorns on the backline since stepping foot on The Forty Acres, EmJ Cox returns for her fifth season in burnt orange. Over the last two years, Cox has logged just 150 minutes in two matches, due to a pair of knee injuries. The 2022 Big 12 Defender of the Year started all 44 matches across her first two seasons, registering nine goals and four assists. During the Longhorns' 2021 and 2022 campaigns, Cox played all but 87 minutes, recording more than 4,000 minutes. The 5-foot-10 defender garnered All-Conference recognition in both seasons. With Cox on the pitch, the Longhorns have notched 20 clean sheets.
QUEEN BRE — Senior defender Breana Thompson has made an impact on and off the field during her time at Texas. Amid back-to-back conference titles, Thompson has been an integral part of the Longhorns' success, earning starts in 39 of the 44 contests. Thompson has totaled 3,635 minutes, logging at least 90 minutes on 25 occasions. Last season, the Mesquite, Texas, native earned SEC All-Tournament, playing every second of the Longhorns' conference championship run. Ahead of the 2025 season, Thompson was nominated for the inaugural Allstate and NACDA Good Works Team (Fall) for her contributions to homeless rehabilitation and advocacy.
WHAT STARTS HERE CHANGES THE WORLD — Since arriving on The Forty Acres, head coach Ange Kelly has turned Texas into a pipeline to the pros. Over the last decade, 22 Longhorns have signed professionally. Following the 2024 campaign, Texas had 10 players agree to pro contracts, highlighted by Trinity Byars (San Diego Wave) and Lexi Missimo (Dallas Trinity). Byars became the first NCAA student-athlete to join the NWSL after the transition away from a traditional draft process, while Missimo inked the largest contract out of college in the league's history. Alongside the record-breaking duo, Ashlyn Miller (Dallas Trinity), Jilly Shimkin (Tampa Bay Sun FC), Hannah Waesch (Athlone Town AFC), Holly Ward (Vancouver Rise FC), Madison Haugen (Sporting CP), Lauren Lapomarda (Dallas Trinity) Amelia Abbott (Wellington Phoenix) and Mia Justus (Utah Royals) all signed to play professionally.
