Soccer | 8/27/2025 9:52:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (August 27, 2025) – The Texas Woman's soccer team will kick off the 2025 season on the road against East Central on Sept. 4. On Wednesday, the Lone Star Conference released its 2025 preseason poll, with the Pioneers selected to finish third.

The poll, voted on by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members, ranked TWU third out of 15 teams.

"We're excited about the season," head coach Babak Abouzar said. "It's encouraging to see that, based on last season's results, we've been chosen third in the preseason poll. That said, everyone is 0–0 at this point in conference play, and we have to continue to put in the work on and off the field to reach the destination we've set for ourselves. This group has shown it's up for that task."

Alongside the preseason rankings, the LSC announced its Preseason Players to Watch.

Junior Giselle Gutierrez was named an Offensive Player to Watch. In 2024, she started all 19 games for TWU, leading the team with six goals—three of which were game-winners—on 33 shots (13 on goal), along with one assist. Gutierrez earned LSC Offensive Player of the Week honors in Week 3 after scoring game-winning goals in back-to-back matches.

All-region and All-LSC standout Erica Brelove was selected as a Defensive Player to Watch. The junior defender started every game last season, recording one assist and seven shots while anchoring a TWU defense that tallied 11 shutouts. Brelove earned United Soccer Coaches All-South Central Region honors for the second straight year, was named to the LSC Third Team All-Conference, and was a CSC Academic All-District honoree.

Returning senior Amanda Farris was named the LSC Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year for the second consecutive season. In 2024, she started 17 games and registered 11 shutouts, 63 saves on 166 shots faced, and allowed just 11 goals, finishing with a 0.65 goals-against average. She was second in the LSC in goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts. Farris played a key role in TWU's postseason run, including a standout performance in the first-round win over St. Edward's, where she scored the game-winning penalty kick to send the Pioneers to their first LSC Tournament semifinal since 2019.

She earned multiple accolades in her senior campaign, including two LSC Goalkeeper of the Week honors, All-Region, All-Conference, and Academic All-District recognition. She also finished the year ranked in the top 30 nationally in goals-against average.

"Amanda's track record speaks for itself," Abouzar said. "Over the past two seasons she has continued to step up by making saves in crucial moments of the game. It's great to see her get this preseason recognition from other coaches within our conference. Erica continues to be a steady presence for us on the backline. We're excited to see her take the next step in her growth on this team. Every season Giselle has become more threatening in and around the goal. We see that continuing as she plays an even bigger role in our attack this season."

The Pioneers return a veteran core and have added 10 newcomers to add more depth across the field. With strong leadership and fresh talent, TWU is poised to challenge for a conference title and make a push for the NCAA Regionals.

Dallas Baptist claimed the top spot in the 2025 LSC Preseason Poll with 650 total points and 29 of 45 first-place votes. Defending champion Angelo State followed closely in second with 634 points and 13 first-place votes. TWU earned 556 points and one first-place vote to round out the top three. Midwestern State and St. Mary's ranked fourth and fifth with 511 and 468 points, respectively.

DBU defender Parker Coe was named the LSC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the second year in a row, after leading a Patriots defense that allowed just 16 goals and posted 12 shutouts in 2024.

The Pioneers open the 2025 season on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 2 p.m. on the road against East Central.

The full 2025 LSC Preseason Poll is included below:

Rank    School                                 1st        Total

1          DBU                                    29         650

2          Angelo State                        13         634

3          Texas Woman's                   1           556

4          Midwestern State                              511

5          St. Mary's                                         468

6          St. Edward's                                     435

7          Lubbock Christian                             392

8          Oklahoma Christian                           358

9          UT Tyler                                           347

10        West Texas A&M                              284

11        Texas A&M International       1           244

12        UT Dallas                                         168

13        UT Permian Basin                             146

14        Eastern New Mexico                         124

15        Sul Ross State                     1           83