Tech begins season at No. 25 in preseason poll
August 01, 2025 | Women's Soccer
The Red Raiders were ranked to begin the season for the second straight year
KANSAS CITY – Fresh off a 15-win season and a Round of 32 appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Texas Tech women's soccer checked in at No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches Association preseason poll, the organization announced Thursday.
Bolstered by the return of 2023 Third Team All-American Sam Courtwright and Kylie Bahr the Red Raiders also return to key contributors across the roster including First Team All-
American Macy Blackburn and First Team All-Big 12 goalkeeper Faith Nguyen.
A First Team Freshman All-American and the 2023 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Courtwright missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury during a training session. Courtwright scored five goals and tallied eight assists during her freshman season, cementing her status as one of the nation's best midfielders.
On the offensive side of things, in addition to returning Blackburn and her team-best 10 assists, the Red Raiders also return all but eight of their 45 goals from a season ago including leading scorer Taylor Zdrojewski (10 goals, 4 assists) and attacking midfielder Peyton Parsons who found the net nine times for the Red Raiders in a career year in 2024.
Busy in the portal, the Red Raiders also added four Power-Four transfers highlighted by the additions of a pair of ACC center backs in Emilie McCartney and Eleanor Hays from Miami and Clemson as well as sixth-year senior Chloe Japic and sophomore Sophie Neves.
No stranger to the Big 12, Japic arrives in Lubbock after spending three seasons at the University of Virginia and her first two years in Waco at Baylor, while Neves transferred to
Tech after spending her freshman season at Alabama.
The Red Raiders also added six freshmen to the 2025 roster including USYNT Camp invitee Raliegh Greason, goalkeeper Rylie Kuyper and midfielder Emma Torres.
Texas Tech is one of three Big 12 programs ranked in the USC preseason poll as the Red Raiders are joined by No. 9 TCU and No. 22 Oklahoma State. The trio is also joined by BYU who is third amongst the teams receiving votes.
Other Red Raider opponents included in the preseason top-25 includes Santa Clara who checks in at No. 16. The Red Raiders will travel to Northern California on Aug. 21.
Tech heads to Denver one-week from today (Aug. 7) for the annual exhibition contest before the season opener at San Diego State arrives on Aug. 14.
Bolstered by the return of 2023 Third Team All-American Sam Courtwright and Kylie Bahr the Red Raiders also return to key contributors across the roster including First Team All-
American Macy Blackburn and First Team All-Big 12 goalkeeper Faith Nguyen.
A First Team Freshman All-American and the 2023 Big 12 Freshman of the Year, Courtwright missed the entire 2024 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury during a training session. Courtwright scored five goals and tallied eight assists during her freshman season, cementing her status as one of the nation's best midfielders.
On the offensive side of things, in addition to returning Blackburn and her team-best 10 assists, the Red Raiders also return all but eight of their 45 goals from a season ago including leading scorer Taylor Zdrojewski (10 goals, 4 assists) and attacking midfielder Peyton Parsons who found the net nine times for the Red Raiders in a career year in 2024.
Busy in the portal, the Red Raiders also added four Power-Four transfers highlighted by the additions of a pair of ACC center backs in Emilie McCartney and Eleanor Hays from Miami and Clemson as well as sixth-year senior Chloe Japic and sophomore Sophie Neves.
No stranger to the Big 12, Japic arrives in Lubbock after spending three seasons at the University of Virginia and her first two years in Waco at Baylor, while Neves transferred to
Tech after spending her freshman season at Alabama.
The Red Raiders also added six freshmen to the 2025 roster including USYNT Camp invitee Raliegh Greason, goalkeeper Rylie Kuyper and midfielder Emma Torres.
Texas Tech is one of three Big 12 programs ranked in the USC preseason poll as the Red Raiders are joined by No. 9 TCU and No. 22 Oklahoma State. The trio is also joined by BYU who is third amongst the teams receiving votes.
Other Red Raider opponents included in the preseason top-25 includes Santa Clara who checks in at No. 16. The Red Raiders will travel to Northern California on Aug. 21.
Tech heads to Denver one-week from today (Aug. 7) for the annual exhibition contest before the season opener at San Diego State arrives on Aug. 14.
Players Mentioned
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder/Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Forward/Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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