In 2024, Texas soccer finished its season with the high of a Southeastern Conference title, defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks in their inaugural season in the SEC and a low of an early exit from the NCAA tournament, losing 3-2 in overtime to Michigan State in the second round.
Ahead of the 2025 season, head coach Angela Kelly had the tough task of retooling her squad after losing vital upperclassmen. However, with lots of returning players on the Longhorns’ roster, here are a few players to keep an eye out for throughout the season once Texas returns to the field on Aug. 14 against Northwestern State:
Amalia Villarreal, sophomore forward
As a true freshman, Villarreal became key to the Longhorns’ goal scoring after losing Trinity Byars to a season-ending injury early in the season. She finished the season with 10 goals and eight assists and was recognized heavily for her 2024 season, winning SEC Freshman of the Year and second-team All-SEC honors. Now entering her second year on the Forty Acres, Villarreal will be looked upon further to create offensive opportunities for herself and her teammates.
Chloe Shimkin, sophomore forward
Shimkin is another second-year forward poised for a bigger role on the Longhorns squad. The sophomore saw action in 20 games and recorded a single assist in her first season with the Longhorns. During the offseason, Shimkin had the opportunity to compete at the international level, participating in the U.S U-19 Women’s National team training camp alongside her Longhorn teammate, Villarreal. The connection between the pair will be crucial to the Longhorns’ goal-scoring chances throughout the season.
Arianna Brothers, junior midfielder
Brothers has been a key rotational player in the Longhorns’ midfield throughout her first two seasons. In her first two years, the junior saw action in 42 games and started in 15. The third-year player will have an increased workload after departures in the Texas midfield.
Carly Montgomery, junior defender
Montgomery has anchored the Longhorns’ backline since her freshman season. The junior has started 42 games in her first two seasons, helping the Longhorns to back-to-back conference-winning seasons in 2023 and 2024. Now heading into her third season, the Longhorns will look to depend on Montgomery’s playing experience in 2025.
EmJ Cox, graduate defender
Cox has suffered season-ending injuries in back-to-back seasons, but when healthy, Cox is one of the Longhorns’ top defenders on the roster. In her first two years in a burnt orange jersey, Cox was recognized with All-Big 12 second team honors and was selected to the All-Big 12 freshman team in 2021. In 2022, as a sophomore, Cox earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and was an All-Big 12 first team selection. Now in her fifth year, Cox will look to get back to the form that made her one of the top players on the Longhorns team.
