The Longhorns traveled to Waco, Texas, on Thursday to take on the Baylor Bears for their final non-conference game of the season. The rivalry, which paused last season, went the Bears’ way in its renewal, as Baylor scored a close 1-0 victory over the Longhorns.
The victory capped off the Longhorns’ rough start to the season. Baylor held Texas scoreless for the first time so far this season, with Texas finishing with a 2–4–1 record. For Baylor, this victory marked history as the Bears’ first win over the Longhorns since the two teams met in the Big 12 tournament quarterfinal in 2017, as well as the Bears’ first victory at home since 2012.
The Longhorns have been excellent when starting games, quickly finding the score sheet within the first 15 minutes in each of their last three games. And Texas came close on Thursday. Texas freshman forward Ava McDonald threatened to score within the first three minutes of the game, but a save from Baylor senior goalkeeper Azul Alvarez kept the Longhorns at bay.
The breakthrough of the match for Baylor occurred late in the first half after a combination down the right side of the field between sophomore forward Alysiah Lockette and junior midfielder Aryanna Jimison combined for a quick 1-2 play. The combination allowed Lockette to calmly knock the ball past the Longhorns’ goalkeeper for the only goal of the game, with Jimison picking up the assist.
The Longhorns tried to get back in the game throughout the second half but were consistently denied. With the clearest opportunity for an equalizer coming just short after a run from McDonald down the right flank, the freshman took a chance with a shot that fell just wide of the goal.
Texas found itself with two chances late in the game after a desperate long-range effort from McDonald sailed over the goalkeeper’s head, and a corner kick in the final five minutes for the Longhorns fell short of creating any sense of danger to Baylor’s goal.
Texas soccer will not have much time to dwell on the loss, having to respond quickly as it heads toward another road trip in its conference opener. The Longhorns will take on the Missouri Tigers on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m.
