The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Soccer’s McDonald tabbed MAC Hermann Trophy forward to watch
08.10.2026 | Soccer
Reigning SEC Freshman of the Year paced all of league's rookies in goals and points in 2025
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas sophomore Ava McDonald was named a MAC Hermann Trophy Forward to Watch, the United Soccer Coaches and the Intercollegiate Women's Soccer Organization for Coaches announced Monday afternoon.
The players to watch are compiled by the Division I All-America Committees and feature returning players who earned United Soccer Coaches All-America or All-Region honors during the 2025 season.
A native of Allen, Texas, McDonald burst onto the college soccer scene last season.
After a star-studded debut campaign, the 5-foot-6 forward garnered United Soccer Coaches Southeast All-Region Third Team distinction, Top Drawer Soccer Freshman Best XI First Team plaudits and SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
McDonald became ninth different Longhorn to earn Newcomer/Freshman of the Year distinction, including the sixth in the last nine seasons. She paced all of the league's rookies in goals (9), points (22), shots (67) and shots on goal (32) a season ago.
Overall, McDonald ranked fourth in goals per game (0.53) and fifth in points per game (1.29). Across the final nine contests, she mounted 16 points, highlighted by a pair of muti-goal efforts. McDonald became the first Texas freshman to have three braces since Trinity Byars in 2021.
The Longhorns open their inaugural campaign under head coach Margueritte Bates against HCU on Wednesday. The match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
