Soccer | 8/31/2023 3:25:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (August 31, 2023) – The grass is mowed. The lines are painted. The corner flags are set. The players line up on the sideline in anticipation. All the work in the offseason comes down to this – it's the start of the 2023 Texas Woman's soccer season.

Every season begins with purpose. To personify that purpose, TWU has voiced a motto for the 2023 season, which describes their purpose and focus heading into a new year.

The Pioneers' two captains this season, Hayley Masoner and Rayne Islas, agreed their motto gives the team direction and sets a standard.

"Our motto is SPAR, meaning: selfless devotion, person over player, all-in mentality, and resilient family," Masoner said. "This phrase means a lot to me as it embodies our team values, and it is something we can embrace on and off the field."

"Our team uses SPAR as motivation and standard to reach our goals this season," Islas said. "No matter what the result may be on the field, we stand by and live out SPAR individually and collectively."

While the start of the season holds different meaning for each player, senior Emily Rohne said she is excited to have one more season to play the sport she loves.

"I have loved soccer since I was three," Rohne said. "My parents used to ask me each year when I was little if I was sure I wanted to keep playing. My answer was always an enthusiastic "yes!". One of my favorite things about soccer since coming to college has been getting to know and grow alongside my teammates."

Senior Abby Daniels echoed Rohne's sentiments and said she appreciates the safe space soccer provides.

"I have been playing soccer ever since I was three years old, so I grew up loving the sport," Daniels said. "It has helped me escape from everything outside of the field, and the friends I have made over the years have been a blessing. I truly thank soccer for my lifetime friends, who are considered family to me."

This year, the Pioneers returned 14 players and welcomed 14 newcomers, and all 28 are ready for the season.

"The most special part about this year's team is our bond and drive," Islas said. "Not only are we dedicated individually, we are all driven and hard-working collectively too. We're going to make a difference this season."

With 28 players on the roster, Masoner said the team's depth will set them up for success this season.

"This team is special because we have lots of depth. We are tenacious and ready to work through any challenge that comes our way. The incoming players along with returners have stepped up in the preseason, and I'm excited to see where it takes us."

The Pioneers have the privileged opportunity to open the season at home at Pioneer Soccer Park. For Rohne, the start at home represents the perfect way to start her final season as a Pioneer.
 
"I think it is a little more special this year to play at Pioneer Soccer Park," Rohne said. "I'm thankful for the privilege I've had to play college soccer, and I am going to strive to appreciate each moment."

Stepping onto the pitch with TWU across their jersey fills each player with pride, and for senior Abby Daniels, it embodies her love for the team and love for athletics.

"This team has a culture I can't explain any other way than sisterhood," Daniels said. "These girls aren't just my teammates, they're some of my best friends. It's so much fun getting to do what you love with the people you love. We continuously push each other to become the best versions of ourselves on and off the field and having them has helped me through the years. I have also really appreciated the benefits this school has given me. This school and the athletic department understand that we aren't just athletes, but more importantly, we are students and people. The TWU environment is a place that I have been able to learn so much from and grow as a person."

Sisterhood – the word that echoes through the minds of all the players as they stand on the sideline, ready to take the field and begin the 2023 season.