No. 23 Texas Tech soccer unveils its loaded 2026 roster Thursday against New Mexico before opening the regular season at Hawaii on Aug. 13.
No. 23 Texas Tech soccer won’t have much time to ease into the 2026 season.
The Red Raiders host New Mexico in their only preseason exhibition Thursday at 7 p.m. at the John Walker Soccer Complex. Admission is free, giving Texas Tech fans their first look at a roster loaded with returning talent, high-profile transfers and immediate expectations.
There won’t be a live stream or live statistics available, but the scrimmage should still offer an important glimpse at how quickly Tech’s upgraded roster is coming together. One week later, the Red Raiders will be in Honolulu for their regular-season opener against Hawaii.
That makes Thursday more than a casual tune-up.
Texas Tech enters the season ranked No. 23 in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll after reaching double-digit victories for the third consecutive year in 2025. The Red Raiders were also picked fifth in the Big 12 preseason poll, earning 180 points and one first-place vote.
Kylie Bahr, Eleanor Hayes and Taylor Zdrojewski headline the returning group after receiving preseason All-Big 12 recognition. Raleigh Greason and Emma Torres are also back after earning spots on the conference’s All-Freshman Team last season.
The biggest offseason addition may be goalkeeper Addie Todd, who arrives from Florida State with two national championships on her resume. Todd has recorded 21 victories, 11 shutouts and 30 starts during her college career.
She also proved she can handle pressure. During the 2024 ACC Tournament, Todd stopped two penalty kicks in a semifinal victory over No. 3 Wake Forest before making four saves against No. 8 North Carolina in the championship match.
Texas Tech also added BYU transfer Abbi Sine and former Penn State player Emma Fassora. Top-100 recruits Reese Liner and Lauren Alvarez join two-time Class 6A state champion Madi Patterson in a recruiting class ranked No. 14 nationally by PrepSoccer.
New Mexico should provide legitimate resistance.
The Lobos return 21 players and were picked third in the Mountain West preseason poll under first-year head coach Karley Nelson. Forward Nicole Anderson scored eight goals with three assists in 2025, while Alysa Whelchel started all 19 matches and scored six times.
Texas Tech and New Mexico last met in 2023, battling to a 1-1 draw in Albuquerque.
Thursday’s result won’t count, but the performance absolutely matters. With a long road trip and the real season arriving next week, Texas Tech’s margin for preseason mistakes is already disappearing.
