Soccer | 8/24/2026 11:22:00 AM

DENTON, Texas (Aug. 24, 2026) - A new season brings new opportunities for the Texas Woman's soccer team, and the Pioneers are ready to embrace them with a new mindset.

Growth, resilience, purpose and togetherness are at the heart of the Pioneers' 2026 team motto, "Built to Thrive."

Sophomores Jaida Arizmendi and Janelle Lozano, along with junior Cadence Andersen, believe the phrase captures the mentality of a team determined to continue growing, pushing one another and building on the strong foundation established within the program.

"Built to Thrive is such a good motto for this team," Andersen said. "Through adversity and hardship, we have continued to push ourselves to get better, both on and off the field."

The Pioneers enter the 2026 season following a historic 2025 campaign that produced a program-best 16-4-3 record, the team's first appearance in the Lone Star Conference Championship match and their first NCAA Tournament victory.

With a strong group of returning players and 11 newcomers joining the roster, the Pioneers are looking to continue that growth while embracing the challenges that come with higher expectations.

For the team, Built to Thrive became the perfect phrase to describe that approach.

During preseason meetings, the Pioneers considered several ideas before narrowing their choices to "Built for More" and "Thrive in It." The team ultimately found that combining the two captured the standards and mindset it wanted to carry throughout the season.

"As soon as the motto Built to Thrive was suggested, the entire team agreed that it was the perfect description of the team and the work we were willing to put into making this upcoming season successful," Andersen said.

For Lozano, Built to Thrive is about more than simply achieving success. It is about approaching each day with purpose, embracing challenges and continuing to push forward.

The Pioneers know the season will bring setbacks and difficult moments, but they see those challenges as opportunities to grow rather than reasons to back down. Arizmendi believes every player brings something different to the group, creating a team capable of responding together when adversity arrives.

"Built to Thrive fits this team because every player in this group has something unique to offer," Arizmendi said. "We all have the ability to respond to challenges and overcome them. We want to be successful this season, but we know it won't come easy. That's where we can truly thrive through the hard moments, by pushing through them and building each other up."

That mentality has already been evident during preseason, as the Pioneers have worked to build chemistry and establish the standards they want to carry into the season. The returning players and newcomers have embraced the work, from time in the weight room and on the practice field to team bonding away from it.

The Pioneers will enter the season ranked third in the LSC preseason poll, a recognition that comes with both confidence and responsibility. The team knows the expectations are higher, but the goal remains to continue building together rather than becoming defined by what happened last season.

Arizmendi believes Built to Thrive can serve as a reminder throughout the season that setbacks are only moments in a larger journey.

"I believe we'll be hearing Built to Thrive a lot this season as a reminder of what we're capable of when things get tough," Arizmendi said. "We know there will be days when things don't go our way, both as a team and individually, but it's important to remember that one mistake doesn't define us."

As the Pioneers prepare for their season-opening trip to Hawaii, the players hope the new motto becomes more than words. They want it to reflect the way they approach every practice, every challenge and every opportunity throughout the season.

When the season comes to an end, Arizmendi hopes the motto will represent a team that remained committed to one another until the final whistle.

"I hope Built to Thrive represents a hardworking, selfless, and talented team that never gave up and continued to push for one another," Arizmendi said. "I want people to remember that we played for each other, competed until the final whistle, and truly enjoyed being on the field together."

For Lozano, that connection extends beyond the soccer field.

"I want people to remember that it means so much more to me than just a group of women but that we are truly a family wanting more for each other," Lozano said.

With a new season ahead, the Pioneers are ready to embrace the challenges, continue building together and pursue more with a mindset grounded in growth, resilience and purpose.

Built to Thrive.

-PIONEERS-