After officially emerging from non-conference play undefeated, Texas soccer is set to be the first team on campus to play in an SEC conference matchup on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. at Mike A. Myers Stadium.
Texas won the Big 12 Championship in 2023, but instead of returning to defend their title, they will face an entirely new set of matchups in the SEC conference.
The first of these matchups is against Alabama, a possession-oriented team that has succeeded in getting numbers up on their offensive attack. They have accumulated a record of 7-2 this season, and the organization is a veteran in terms of SEC conference play.
“There’s tremendous coaches,” said head coach Angela Kelly. “There’s such quality players in this league. But I have to tell you, I haven’t woken up as excited on a Tuesday morning in a long, long time.
This excitement has not come without adversity, as both senior forward Trinity Byars and senior center back EmJ Cox have fallen victim to season-ending injuries.
Both girls played for Solar Soccer Club in Dallas, had strong bonds with other players on the team and served as integral pieces of the team’s starting lineup.
“I’ve played with (Byars) since I was like seven to eight years old, and I haven’t played soccer without her,” said senior midfielder Lexi Missimo. “So it was definitely very impactful.”
Top Drawer Soccer ranked Missimo number one in the preseason player rankings, and she has risen even further into her leadership role in the absence of Byars and Cox. She has accumulated seven goals and three assists this season, adding to her totals of 51 goals and 54 assists in her career.
“What I love about it is Lexi is enjoying every second,” Kelly said. “I think, in all the years that she’s been here, I’ve seen her just be able to smile, to giggle, to have fun, and that’s all I’ve ever wanted for our players.”
Georgia transfer and defender Madison Haugen echoes Kelly’s emphasis on joy and chemistry with teammates.
“They’re already like my best friends, and I’ve only been here like two months, so it’s been a super smooth transition,” she said.
The team plans to take it one game at a time, according to Auburn transfer and midfielder Hannah Waesch, but confidence is building as the Alabama game gets closer and closer.
“The University of Texas women’s soccer program is gonna be eager, willing and incredibly prepared for Thursday night,” Kelly said.
