The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
University of Texas
Baylor
Soccer preview: Baylor
09.03.2025 | Soccer
Longtime conference rivals have met 29 of the last 30 seasons
COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON vs. TEXAS
Date: Sept. 4, 2025
Where: Mike A. Myers Stadium
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: ESPN+
Live stats: texas.statbroadcast.com
THE MATCHUP — The Longhorns conclude non-conference play on Thursday, as Texas travels up I-35 North to face former conference rival Baylor. The Longhorns have played the Bears on 32 occasions, tied for the most head-to-head meetings in Texas' program history. Located 100 miles apart, the two rivals have squared off 29 of the last 30 seasons on the pitch. The Longhorns boast a 18-9-5 lead in the all-time series, including wins in six of the last seven matchups.
LAST TIME OUT — Behind Ava McDonald's first career brace, Texas posted a 3-1 win over the College of Charleston on Sunday afternoon. McDonald scored a goal in both halves to become the first Longhorn freshman to register a brace since Liz Worden accomplished the feat against Lipscomb on Aug. 18, 2022.
COMING OF AGE — Through its first six matches, nine of Texas' 11 goals have been recorded by an underclassmen. Sophomore Amalia Villarreal and freshman Ava McDonald have notched a co-team-best three tallies, while 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 six 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.
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.
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 154-81-35 (.635) record. Kelly has guided Texas to eight NCAA Tournament appearances and three conference titles.
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 team-leading eight points and a co-team-high three goals.
SHE'S BAAAAAAACK — A staple for the Longhorns on the backline since stepping foot on The Forty Acres, EmJ Cox is in her fifth season in burnt orange. Over the last two years, 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 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 45 of the 50 contests. Thompson has totaled 4,126 minutes, logging at least 90 minutes on 28 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.
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 (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.
