Women’s soccer set for RRAC openers at LSUS, Louisiana Christian

After a strong non-conference schedule, the Texas A&M University-Victoria women's soccer team feels confident.

The Jaguars (3-1-2) are on a five-match unbeaten run after walloping Huston-Tillotson, 6-0, last Thursday. Now they get to test themselves against LSU Shreveport and Louisiana Christian to open Red River Athletic Conference play.

The Pilots (1-5) and Wildcats (1-0) were picked third and fourth, respectively, in the RRAC Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Jaguars face LSUS on Thursday and Louisiana Christian on Friday.

"We love opportunities to be tested. It shows us what we're made of," said head coach Kimberly Uetrecht. "I think we're made of some pretty tough stuff. We have a really good foundation going into these upcoming games. The team has never looked more united and I'm excited for us to have this opportunity."

Defense has been the calling card for the Jaguars in the early stages of the season.

With three clean sheets this season, A&M-Victoria ranks second in the RRAC with a 0.83 goals allowed average. Junior goalkeeper Jamie Noriega ranks second in GAA with a 1.06 and second in save percentage with a .773 in five matches.

That's translated to conference recognition in each of the last three weeks with Noriega, senior defender Rosa Reyes and senior goalkeeper Abree Fry winning RRAC Defensive Player of the Week honors in that time.

Reyes and Fry's leadership as seniors and captains in a defensive group which features three sophomore starters in Cheyenne Grant, Yuvier Borjas and Ariana Briones, is what Uetrecht credits to the team's defensive success.

"It's really neat to see not only their individual confidence, but the confidence they have in each other," Uetrecht said. "Knowing they can depend on each other and knowing there isn't a weak link is really cool to see. Because of Rosa's leadership, because of Abree's leadership, because of those strong senior players, it's helping the other younger players see a confidence they didn't realize they had in themselves. It's been really cool to see that."

A&M-Victoria has also enjoyed strong play up front during its unbeaten run.

The Jaguars have outscored opponents 14-2 over the last five matches and its been junior Ayloni Garcia leading the way. The McAllen native ranks fourth in the RRAC with five goals after scoring a pair and adding two assists against Huston-Tillotson, and third in points (12) and shots (21). She was named RRAC Offensive Player of the Week this week.

In total, A&M-Victoria has had seven different goalscorers including four with multiple goals this season after Serenity Petaia netted a pair of goals against the Rams.

"It's beautiful," Uetrecht said. "Every day we pursue excellence. But it's much easier to be the best version individually when the team is its best together. They have that confidence in each other, knowing the person next to you is going to fight for you. Of course they want to fight for you. Of course it's contagious."