Texas Soccer is only one win away from matching their win total from the 2025 season. Yup, you read that correctly. After securing last night’s 1-0 victory over Grand Canyon University, the Longhorns improved to 3-0-1 on the season, moving them just 1 win shy of the 4-win total mark of last season (4-12-1 record in 2025). We are only 4 games into the 2026 season. Here is how the games have played out so far:
Game 1: Texas vs HCU | 3-0 Win (my recap)
Game 2: Texas at Pitt | 1-0 Win (my video recap)
Game 3: Texas at Arizona State | 1-1 Tie (details below)
Game 4: Texas at GCU | 1-0 Win (details below)
Texas at Arizona State (8/20)
Amalia Villarreal (Junior, M/F) scored her 3rd goal of the season after capitalizing on an Arizona State turnover, putting Texas up 1-0 in the 18th-minute of the match. However, Arizona State answered back, scoring off a corner kick in the 30th minute. It was the first, and only goal, Texas has given up all season.
I was a little perplexed reading others say the draw was disappointing. For starters, Arizona State is undefeated at home in non-conference matchups since 2021. It was a sold out crowd, amazing atmosphere, and despite any “ranking”, it was always going to be a competitive match.
While I am of course always hoping for a Texas victory, I am mostly watching to see where we are improving, how the team is coming together. In our tie with Arizona State, we were getting shots (9-3 shot advantage) and were getting the ball where it needed to be. In my opinion, the team just needs more time together to work on the offensive chemistry. The goals will start to come, I saw a lot that makes me confident in that! Overall, I am so excited for the offensive potential the team is displaying. They are getting close!
Texas at GCU (8/23)
It was a great match for two of Texas Soccer’s transfer portal additions, as Texas Goalkeeper Bayliss Flynn got her 3rd clean sheet of the season and Alicia “Coco” Riggins (Junior, Transfer from WVU, F) scored the game-winner, and her first goal as a Longhorn!
Video from Texas Soccer on Twitter/X
It was an incredibly physical match, with 24 combined fouls (plus a few yellow cards… oops!). But Texas only allowed 2 shots on target. After 4 games, the defense and physicality is really becoming the identity of the team. We have some defensive DOGS!
Bayliss Flynn
She is building quite the resume for herself in a short amount of time on the 40-acres. After her excellent six-save performance against Pittsburgh, she earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. She also made Texas history, becoming the first Texas goalkeeper with back-to-back clean sheets in their first 2 starts as a Longhorn in at least 20 years.
One of the characteristics I have enjoyed most about Flynn is her vocal leadership displayed on the field. I am constantly seeing her talk to the defense, not being afraid to speak up when mistakes are made, and really being the Head Coach on the field. Maybe the best part of all, is that she has another year of eligibility. I am sensing a lot of more history coming her way!
The Standard is the Standard
I have to give my flowers to Head Coach Margueritte Bates. She knew exactly what she wanted this team to be, and boy has she delivered! In a preseason write up by Travis Galey of Orangebloods, he shared this quote from Bates regarding her philosophy:
“We have a saying in our locker room, which is, you can’t lose a game if you don’t get scored on. I ask them straight up, ‘Have you ever lost when you didn’t get scored on?’”
When the coaches messaging is reflecting in the games on the field, you know you’ve got a good one. Here is the goal comparison of the 2025 season vs the 2026 season:
The data speaks for itself. Well done, Coach Bates!
ATX Bound
After three physical matches on the road, the team gets to head back to Austin for some rest! They will face their toughest test at home this Thursday, when No. 6 Baylor comes to Mike A. Myers Stadium. We might be the underdog in this one, but I like our chances.
Hookem,
Michelle