The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros are set to begin their first season as an affiliate member of the Ohio Valley Conference, a milestone that has generated considerable excitement among the program’s supporters.
The opening match will take place on Thursday, August 20, at 7:30 p.m., when the Vaqueros travel to face West Florida in Pensacola, Florida, marking the start of a schedule that blends non‑conference and conference fixtures.
Just three days later, on Saturday, August 23, the team will host Stetson at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex, with kickoff scheduled for 10 a.m., offering fans a chance to see the squad in front of its home crowd.
Coach’s vision and preparation
Head coach Bryheem Hancock has emphasized that the team is using the early games to sharpen intensity and fine‑tune tactics, preparing the Vaqueros for the rigors of both non‑conference opponents and the upcoming OVC slate.
Nine players return from the previous roster, among them captains Eduardo De Oliveira and Mouhamed Pouye, who bring experience and leadership to a squad that hopes to translate preseason promise into on‑field results.
Pouye was highlighted as an OVC Player to Watch during the preseason, while the team’s overall preseason projection places them fifth in the conference standings, a position that could secure a spot in the conference tournament if the regular‑season finish holds.
The Vaqueros will meet ASUN rivals West Florida and Stetson in their opening weekend, with West Florida having been selected last in the ASUN preseason poll and Stetson slated second, the latter earning two selections to the 2026 Preseason All‑ASUN Team.
A brief historical note shows that UTRGV holds a 1‑0‑1 record against Stetson, including a 1‑1 draw in which both captains found the net, underscoring the competitive edge the team hopes to carry forward.