The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer names Lexi Wright as director of operations
01.09.2026 | Soccer
Wright arrives on The Forty Acres after winning three conference titles and 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Soccer Championship as a player at UCLA
AUSTIN, Texas — University of Texas head coach Margueritte Bates announced the hiring of director of soccer operations Lexi Wright on Friday.
Wright comes to The Forty Acres after a standout five-year playing career at UCLA. During her time with the Bruins, UCLA mounted an 83-14-12 (.817) record, the second-best mark of any program across that stretch. The Bruins reached the NCAA Tournament in all five campaigns, winning three conference titles and the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship.
"We are so fortunate to have Lexi join our staff," said Bates, who coached Wright over the past four seasons. "She will be an amazing example to our student-athletes of someone who has played at the highest level, won championships, overcome adversity and has always approached life with humility and compassion. Lexi will be an incredible ambassador to our program, and we are so proud she's joined us here on The Forty Acres."
While at UCLA, Wright appeared in 67 matches, drawing 40 starts. The Carlsbad, Calif., native registered 15 goals and 11 assists over 3,148 minutes.
This past fall, Wright returned to the pitch after missing the entire 2024 campaign due to injury. The 5-foot-6 forward played in 13 contests and made three starts, earning recognition as a Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree and a spot on the first-ever Allstate NACDA Good Works Team (Fall).
In 2023, Wright garnered All-Pac-12 Third Team plaudits, checking in third on the Bruins with six tallies and 15 points. She also finished second on the club with 53 shots and 23 shots on target.
During UCLA's NCAA Championship run her sophomore year, Wright ranked third on the team in all scoring categories, totaling 22 points on eight goals and six assists.
She was named to the College Cup All-Tournament Team after sparking the Bruins' comeback in the title game with an 80th-minute strike to cut North Carolina's lead to 2-1.
Wright finished the postseason with seven points, delivering a pair of tallies in the first nine minutes of UCLA's NCAA first-round victory over NAU.
In her debut campaign in 2021, she logged minutes in 14 matches and started twice. Wright recorded her first career point, notching an assist on the game-winning goal against Stanford.
"I'm truly thankful for the chance to join Texas as part of Margueritte's staff," Wright said. "Having previously played for Coach Marg and Molly Poletto, I've experienced firsthand the incredible leaders and people they are. Their championship mindset, paired with the genuine way they invest in their players, creates a winning culture built on trust, intentionality and a true family atmosphere. Texas Soccer has so much potential, and I'm grateful to be part of what the program is building."
Prior to her arrival at UCLA, Wright was tabbed a TopDrawer Soccer Second Team All-American and a First Team All-State selection. The three-time All-CIF and All-San Diego Section First Team pick set Carlsbad High School's single-season goals (47) and career goals (104) records. She also collected USA Today Third Team All-America distinction and earned a nomination for Gatorade Player of the Year.
Wright played club soccer for the SoCal Blues in the Elite Clubs National League (ECNL), guiding her teams to the U15, U16 and U18/19 national championships.
