A New Chapter for Vaqueros Soccer
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley’s men’s soccer squad is entering a pivotal season as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC). After spending the previous year as an NCAA Division I independent, the team is now poised to chase a conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Head coach Bryheem Hancock has raised the bar for intensity and training, noting that the players have embraced a more demanding regimen as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
Returning captains Eduardo De Oliveira and Mouhamed Pouye will anchor the side both on and off the pitch, drawing on their extensive playing time — eight of the nine returning veterans logged at least 80 percent of last season’s minutes — to foster chemistry and leadership.
The roster blends experience and fresh talent. Two Division I transfers, Emmanuel Gore Bi and Sammy Jadid, bring proven collegiate pedigree, while former Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College standouts Tobias Buch and Alexander Mink are expected to make an immediate impact. Freshmen midfielders Mauricio Arreguin, Matheo Mondy and Isaac Thomas, along with goalkeeper Reymundo Quiroga, are slated to fill key gaps in the lineup.
UTRGV’s preseason strategy centers on setting incremental goals that ladder toward the ultimate objective: winning the OVC Championship and securing a spot in the NCAA Tournament. The campaign kicks off on Thursday against West Florida, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and a live stream on ESPN+.