Although Texas A&M’s announced departure from the Big 12 in 2011 marked an end to their routine rivalry against Texas, other NCAA sports kept the in-state competition alive in ongoing postseason matchups.
In their first showdown in almost a decade, Texas soccer reunited with Texas A&M in the 2019 NCAA tournament opening round, falling to the Aggies in a 4-1 loss. The Longhorns claimed revenge after their defeat during the 2022 NCAA tournament, this time ending A&M’s season in a 3-1 victory.
On Sept. 29, 2024, the rivals met again under the lights of Mike A. Myers Stadium for their inaugural Southeastern Conference duel.
Texas, doubling down on their previous rivalry victory, sent the Aggies back to College Station with a 2-0 defeat, keeping the Lone Star Showdown trophy safe on the Forty Acres.
Graduate defensive player Lauren Lapomarda felt the anticipation surrounding the game, specifically when defending the pride of her university.
“Being the first game in Texas Athletics (since joining the SEC) to rewrite the history books makes it even more special,” Lapomarda said.
On the field, Lapomarda and graduate midfielder Hannah Waesch faced old high school teammates in front of a record crowd of 3,140 people.
“If playing against your old club buddies didn’t (change the atmosphere), the crowd definitely did,” Waesch said. “Seriously, the amount of support we received was special. The environment was absolutely electric and it just goes to show that everyone buys into the rivalry.”
Texas volleyball faced the Aggies for the second time this season on Oct. 23, losing their 11-year win streak against their in-state rivals.
The Longhorns lost their footing in the fifth set through repeated attacking errors, falling to the Aggies with a 16-18 final score. Texas leads in overall wins, 65–24, since their first matchup in 1976.
For Texas softball, the Aggies never disappeared from their yearly play, with the two teams having matched up 14 times in competition play since 2011. The Longhorns lead their extended series with a 26–23 win-loss record.
Their recent clash during the 2024 NCAA Austin Super Regional Championship on May 26 resulted in the Longhorns’ entry into the Women’s College World Series, where they earned runner-up against Oklahoma University.
“Not only was (the rivalry game) fun, but it helped bond our team together to lean on each other when it got hard and fight for each other and our end goal,” said sophomore outfielder Kayden Henry. “It ultimately made us better for the World Series.”
The teams renewed their rivalry on Oct. 18 in College Station, with A&M setting the tone of their incoming spring season with a 12-6 victory. The teams face off again in 2025 for conference play.
“It’s an opportunity to prove ourselves against a strong opponent and to add another chapter to the Texas-A&M rivalry,” said junior pitcher Citlaly Gutierrez.
