Soccer | 9/16/2025 6:16:00 PM

DENTON, Texas (Sept. 16, 2025) - The Texas Woman's soccer team returned to the NCAA Division II United Soccer Coaches Top 25 rankings Tuesday for the first time since the 2017 season.

"It's an accomplishment to be getting national recognition this early in the season," Head Coach Babak Abouzar said. "It shows that the work our team has been putting in is getting noticed. We still have a long way to go and a lot to accomplish and I know our team is up for the task."

The Pioneers claimed the No. 25 spot in the second poll of the 2025 season after receiving votes in last week's opening poll. This marks their first Top 25 ranking since 2017, when they reached No. 20 nationally following a strong start — including a victory over No. 6 Colorado School of Mines and a tie against Regis University. The early results demonstrated the program's potential on the national stage.

TWU currently holds a 4-0 record and has outscored opponents 18-1 in their last four matches, earning them a nod in the Top 25 this week.

Regionally, the Pioneers moved up from sixth to fifth in the South Central Region standings. The Lone Star Conference features two teams in the national Top 25 this week: Dallas Baptist University, ranked No. 5 nationally, and Texas Woman's.

Other Lone Star Conference teams ranked in the regional Top 10 include UT Tyler and St. Mary's.

Within the conference, TWU sits second behind Dallas Baptist, both undefeated at 4-0, with UT Tyler and St. Mary's also strong contenders.

The Pioneers will host West Texas A & M at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 17, at Pioneer Soccer Park. The match will also serve as a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

-PIONEERS-