RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team is less than a week before the start of the regular season and will put themselves to the test in a pair of exhibition matches starting on Thursday against Monterrey Tech at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. 
 
The Vaqueros will face Monterrey Tech at 6:30 p.m. before heading to College Station to face the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday at 7 p.m.
 
With just over a week into the preseason, the Vaqueros are not too worried about their opponent. They are still working on their getting comfortable in their game plan for the season.
 
"We are trying to get our own ideas down," UTRGV Head Coach Mark Foster said. "Right now, it's too early to think about other teams. I have heard a lot of good things about Monterrey Tech, but they are playing down in Mexico so it's hard to scout them. Because we don't know a lot about them, I think the best thing for us right now is to just focus on getting our ideas across to the girls and seeing what we can do."
 
Cross Border Rivalry
The Vaqueros will reignite a friendly rivalry when they face Monterrey Tech for the first time since 2020. 
 
Both teams played to a draw back on Feb. 1 2020. 
 
Both schools are trying to set up friendly matches across other sports as well. 
 
"What a great opportunity," Foster said. "Their administration came to spend some time with us in the spring. I was really impressed with their people and what they are doing, and their stories. I am really excited that we can kick off their friendly rivalry. I know there are other games in the works with other sports, but I really excited to be playing their soccer team. I've heard good things about them, and I am excited about the game, and I am excited to hang out with their folks after the game. Hopefully next year we can return the favor."
 
Preseason Moving Along
The Vaqueros know how quick the preseason goes so they have utilized two-a-days over the first week of the preseason. 
 
The Vaqueros have put their best foot forward as they prepare for the start of the regular season.
 
"It's been a great start to preseason," Foster said. "I have been really delighted with the girls. We have been working them hard. Most days have been two sessions a day. The girls have had a good attitude through it all and I have appreciated how they have handled it all. At the end of the day, we just ask them to bring their best and they have been doing that. I think we have the foundation for having a good season."
 
Taking It All In
The preseason is one of Coach Foster's favorite times of the year. The squad is back on campus. 
 
The pitch is in pristine shape. The smell of the freshly cut grass. Oh yeah, and the beautiful Valey weather. 
 
"It's been brilliant so far," Foster said. "We have been fortunate that some of the mornings and evenings in the Valley are beautiful, so we've had some early morning practices and have enjoyed being out there together. Then there have been a couple of times at night we are getting the balls out and playing and we see the sun going down over the palm trees. This time of the year when it all comes together, you realize how lucky we are to be here and doing this."
 
Almost There
After their two exhibition matches, the Vaqueros will kick of the regular season Aug. 14 when they host Tarleton at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex at 6:30 p.m.
 
Fans who can't attend the match can watch on ESPN+ or Southland International for those outside of the United States.

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