Women’s soccer opens fall practices Monday

The UHV women's soccer team will look to build off a program-best season when fall practice begins Monday.

The Jaguars (10-3-5 overall, 7-1-3 Red River Athletic Conference in 2022) finished second in the RRAC regular season, marking the highest finish in program history, and advanced to the conference semifinals.

"We're excited to get back on the field and get started," said 14th-year head coach Adrian Rigby. "Our staff has done a real good job with our offseason and recruiting class, and we're excited to work with the new players."

The Jaguars' attack will look familiar with sophomore Clara Strand and senior Estelle Flanagan back for 2023.

Strand was named to the All-RRAC second and Freshman teams after scoring 11 goals, four assists and 26 total points last year. Flanagan has scored 20 goals in 41 career matches for the Jaguars.

"We return some key players up top with Clara and Estelle," Rigby said. "We're expecting them to lead the way in the attack for us this season. Both come in with good experience and have scored some key goals for us."

In addition to Strand, the Jaguars return second team All-RRAC midfielder Chloe Spencer and All-Freshman midfielder Maja Eriksson.

Spencer, a Victoria native, made 15 appearances last year and had a career-high 24 shots with one goal. Eriksson had two assists in 16 matches last year.

"We like where we're at to start the year," Rigby said. "Monday will be the start of what we expect to be a good season."

The Jaguars' regular season starts at home on Aug. 31 at 1 p.m. against Texas Wesleyan.