RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women's soccer team hit the pitch for the first time as a team on Wednesday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex in preparation for the 2026 season. 

For new UTRGV Head Women's Soccer Coach Nataki Stewart and his staff, they wouldn't want to be anywhere else as the season is just around the corner.

"I was pretty pleased with the first session," Stewart said. "The leadership from our returning group as they set the tone early on, over the last few days, was really good to see. When you have players leading, a player led team is the best team."
 
Stewart is excited to represent the Vaqueros and feels at home with the summer heat testing his new squad, yet a new beginning is what really motivates the manager from Jamaica.
 
"I care, I care deeply," Stewart said. "Wherever I work, I don't take the shirt off, not even to sleep, I represent the university the best way possible, but I am super excited about what we are doing and what we're going to build here. I love the heat, I'm originally from Jamaica so the palm trees, wind, and sunshine are something you can't beat."
 
The Vaqueros are coming off a 6-10-2 season last fall, just missing the Southland Conference Tournament and are looking to take that next step forward this season. 

The Vaqueros believe their chemistry will take that step forward onto this new season. UTRGV returns eight from last season's squad with the rest of the roster being filled with hungry, excited newcomers. The energy on and off the pitch is already a step ahead and the team feels like a contender.
 
"The standard is the standard," Stewart said. "What that means is our goals are here, so our process has to match that, we won't change it for anyone. We talk about being engaged from body language, eye contact, and just being present. Those things are very vital to us."
 
Fans will get to see the team for the first time, on Saturday Aug. 8 as the Vaqueros face off against Tec de Monterrey in an exhibition match at Brownsville's Sams Memorial Stadium. The men's and women's soccer program are teaming up for a free Brownsville Soccer Night which includes a free youth clinic by the men's soccer program at 4:30 p.m.
 
The Vaqueros will continue to ramp up their skills and conditioning as the new season is gearing up to be a fresh start. Junior forward, Isabella Burtini, was excited to be back on the pitch with her squad. She emphasized the importance of comradery and hard work.
 
"My first day back was really good," Burtini said. "The vibes were high, it feels like there is a lot of chemistry this year in the team. We've only had about four or five days together as a team, so I think having that good chemistry will benefit us, especially as the season goes on and everyone gets closer and starts to gel. You can see the team has put in the work over the summer, and we're happy to be back on the pitch."
 
The 2026 season is a chance to seize the opportunity which starts on Thursday, Aug. 13 against Texas Southern at UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.

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