The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer preview: No. 12 Mississippi State
09.17.2025 | Soccer
Longhorns open SEC home slate against Bulldogs on Thursday
#12 MISSISSIPPI STATE vs. TEXAS
Date: Sept. 18, 2025
Where: Mike A. Myers Stadium
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: ESPNU
Live stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
THE MATCHUP — For the first time in program history, Texas welcomes Mississippi State to Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin. The Longhorns and Bulldogs met for the first time ever last season. In 2024, Mississippi State topped Texas, 1-0. Ally Perry delivered the lone goal in the 15th minute, while Maddy Anderson made two saves to post a clean sheet.
LAST TIME OUT — Texas was unable to overcome an early deficit, as the Longhorns dropped their SEC opener at Missouri, 3-1. Ava McDonald pulled Texas within a tally in the 81st minute, but the Tigers answered moments later to put the match out of reach. With the goal, McDonald scored for the third time in as many contests. The Longhorns' setback snapped a 15-match unbeaten streak against the Tigers in the regular season, which dated back to 1998.
COMING OF AGE — Through eight matches, 10 of Texas' 12 goals have been recorded by an underclassmen. Freshman Ava McDonald paces the club with four goals, while sophomore Amalia Villarreal has netted three tallies. Rookies Audrey Bryant and Sadie Hoch have both delivered game-winning goals. Freshman Mateya Dessieux has logged every second in net. Overall, 12 Longhorns have made their collegiate debuts this fall. In all eight contests, Texas has started four true freshmen.
NEW FACES IN NEW PLACES — Texas has 10 newcomers on the 2025 roster, with nine freshmen and one transfer. The Longhorns' recruiting class was ranked sixth nationally and earned the top spot in the SEC, according to Top Drawer Soccer. Texas' star-studded recruiting class is headlined by five players in the top 100: Ava McDonald (No. 10), Cameron Byrd (No. 38), Mateya Dessieux (No. 47), Audrey Bryant (No. 52) and Annie Gnidula (No. 93).
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.
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. This year, the sophomore has posted a co-team-best eight points and ranks second with three goals.
YOUNG MCDONALD — Ava McDonald has made her presence felt across her first eight collegiate matches. McDonald — who was the No. 10 overall recruit in the Class of 2025, according to Top Drawer Soccer — leads the Longhorns with four goals, while tying for the club lead with eight points. Over the last three contests, the 5-foot-6 forward has three times, highlighted by a brace against College of Charleston on Aug. 31. McDonald become the first Longhorn freshman to accomplish the feat since Liz Worden on Aug. 18, 2022. A star on the club scene, the Allen, Texas, native earned a pair of ECNL All-Conference honors, while guiding FC Dallas to the 2022-23 ECNL League title. In her young career, McDonald has participated in USYNT camp at the U16, U17 and U19 stages.
SHE'S BAAAAAAACK — A staple for the Longhorns on the backline since stepping foot on The Forty Acres, EmJ Cox is in her fifth year in burnt orange. Over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Cox 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 campaigns, registering nine goals and four assists. During her first two years with the Longhorns, 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 47 of the 52 contests. Thompson has totaled 4,305 minutes, logging at least 90 minutes on 30 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.
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 154-83-35 (.631) record. Kelly has guided Texas to eight NCAA Tournament appearances and three conference titles.
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS — In its inaugural campaign in the league last year, Texas finished 6-3-1 before sweeping its way to an SEC Tournament title. During the regular season, the Longhorns' 19 points checked in third in the conference table, trailing only Mississippi State (30) and Arkansas (25). With its championship run in Pensacola, Texas won back-to-back postseason conference tournaments for the second time in program history, accomplishing the feat for the first time since a pair of Big 12 crowns in 2006 and 2007.
CONFERENCE CALL — Since the program's inception in the 90s, the Longhorns have played in three different conferences: Southwest Conference (1995), Big 12 (1996-2023) and Southeastern Conference (2024-Present). Across the three leagues, Texas has posted a 156-84-32 (.632) mark. The Longhorns have claimed six conference championships. Texas won the 2001 and 2022 Big 12 regular season, while capturing Big 12 Tournament titles in 2006, 2007 and 2023 before an SEC Tournament crown in 2024.
HOME SWEET HOME — Texas owns a 42-10-9 (.762) 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 195-60-28 (.739) ledger at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
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. 12 Mississippi State, No. 14 TCU and No. 15 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.
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.
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.
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 (Brisbane Roar), 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.
