New coach, new era. Texas tests its revamped squad against professional talent, unveiling rising stars in a pivotal exhibition match.
Texas soccer begins its spring exhibition season on Saturday, facing off against the Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League in Houston.
The game not only marks the start of a new year for the Longhorns, but also the dawn of a new era.
After a shocking 4-12-1 season, a year removed from their Southeastern Conference Tournament victory, Texas decided to move on from long-time head coach Ange Kelly.
It was a move that sent shockwaves through the program, given Kelly had been in Austin for 14 seasons. It was a risky play from athletic director Chris Del Conte, but he backed it up by replacing her with one of the best coaches in the nation.
Newly minted head coach Margueritte Bates built a juggernaut at her previous school, UCLA, winning two conference titles and one national championship in just four seasons.
Bates brings a vibrant energy and attitude to the teams she coaches, and that's exactly what the Longhorns need after an abysmal season.
Her national title as the Bruins' head coach came in her first season, becoming the first rookie head coach to win the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship.
It's probably unrealistic for her to pull off the same feat at Texas, but it's safe to say Bates isn't here for a rebuild - she's here to compete now.
And what better way to test her new squad than a date with a professional opponent?
It's a big test that will likely induce some growing pains for this young Longhorns team, but talent needs to be tested to be ready for when the real competition starts in August.
Part of Texas' issue last season was its inexperience.
The Longhorns relied on underclassmen throughout the season, and it showed. But now, those players have a year under their belt. That's already a leg-up for Bates upon her arrival.
Also at her disposal are two superstar attackers who would probably start for any team in the nation.
Those players are Sophomore Amalia Villarreal and the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year, Ava McDonald.
Villarreal's overwhelming technical ability and creativity, combined with McDonald's pace and power, give Bates a deadly duo to build her ideal team around.
Barring any unfortunate setbacks, the two will compete at the pro level after their tenures as Longhorns, so it'll be interesting to see how they stack up against established professional players.
While exhibition results should be taken with a grain of salt, Saturday's game against the Dash will give fans a glimpse of a Texas squad with a new DNA.