Aggies Begin 2026‑27 Campaign
The Texas A&M Aggies will open their 2026‑27 soccer season with a free exhibition match against the UIW Cardinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Ellis Field. The game serves as the first of two preseason contests the Aggies have scheduled before stepping into official competition.
First‑year head coach Bobby Shuttleworth, hired in December, will oversee a squad that returns 11 letterwinners from the previous year, including SEC All‑Freshman defender Riley Crooks. Among the returning players, Trinity Buchanan leads the scoring chart with 12 points from five goals and two assists in 2025, while Leah Diaz contributed 10 points through three goals and four assists.
The roster also welcomes four new transfers — Norah Bell from Arizona State, Bella Carapazza from Lipscomb, Ciara Jade Mitchell from San Diego State and Adelaide Paredes from St. Bonaventure — adding depth to the midfield and attack. Alongside them, the Aggies have signed a six‑player California recruiting class featuring Makenna August, Ireland Churchill, Juliet Haras, Finley Lacher, Sami Ruiz and Kieana Smith, as well as freshmen Blake Hughes, Brynja Ran Knudsen, Morgan Landry and Ava Sexton.
UIW Cardinals enter their fourth season under coach Jake Plant with a 4‑8‑4 record overall and a 2‑5‑3 mark in Southland Conference play. Despite the recent record, the Cardinals will provide a test for the Aggies as they fine‑tune their tactics before the upcoming Austin showdown.
The Aggies’ second exhibition will take them to Austin to face the Texas Longhorns on Saturday at 7 p.m., after which they will begin their regular season on Wednesday, August 12, hosting the Rice Owls at 6 p.m. in Houston.