Texas Tech Soccer will begin its 2026 campaign on Thursday, August 6, when the Red Raiders welcome New Mexico to Lubbock for a 7 p.m. kickoff.
The match marks the first meeting between the two programs since a 1‑1 stalemate in 2023, a result that left both sides eager for a decisive outcome.
Texas Tech enters the season ranked in the preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll for the second time in three years, riding the momentum of a 2025 campaign that produced double‑digit wins and marked the fourth double‑digit season in five years.
Head coach Chris Beech's squad returns a core group of All‑Big 12 honorees — Kylie Bahr, Eleanor Hayes and Taylor Zdrojewski — while also integrating three Power Four transfers: Addie Todd from Florida State, Abbi Sine from BYU and Emma Fassora from Penn State.
Addie Todd, a two‑time NCAA College Cup champion, brings 30 career starts and 21 wins to Lubbock, adding depth to an attacking lineup that already features returning standouts.
On the other side, New Mexico will be led by first‑year head coach Karley Nelson, who replaced longtime mentor Hather Dyche, bringing a fresh tactical outlook to the Lobos.
The Lobos were tabbed third in the Mountain West Coaches Poll behind Wyoming and Air Force, but three players — Fiona Jenkins, Nicole Anderson and Alysa Whelchel — earned preseason All‑MW Watchlist honors.
Anderson, a 2025 Second Team All‑Mountain West selection, contributed eight goals and three assists last season, and will be counted on to anchor the offense alongside Whelchel.
After the Lubbock showdown, Texas Tech will travel to face Hawaii on August 13, continuing a non‑conference stretch that tests the Red Raiders' early‑season chemistry.
Key Storylines
The central narrative revolves around how quickly the newly assembled Texas Tech roster can gel, especially with three transfers joining a unit that already boasts All‑Big 12 talent.
Equally compelling is the question of whether Nelson's defensive adjustments can tighten a Lobos side that finished the previous season with a modest goal differential.
Both coaches will also be eyeing the impact of free admission and the lack of live streaming, which means fans will rely on in‑person attendance to generate atmosphere.
With the Red Raiders' preseason ranking and the Lobos' preseason poll position set, Thursday's match serves as a litmus test for early‑season expectations and could shape the trajectory of both programs heading into the rest of the 2026 schedule.