RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men's soccer program is ready for their season opener at West Florida (UWF) Thursday and home opener against Stetson Saturday.
 
New Season, New Opportunity
 
The Vaqueros enter their first season as affiliate members in the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) after spending the 2025 season as a NCAA DI Independent.
 
"I think the level of intensity and training has just increased," head men's soccer coach Bryheem Hancock said. "The guys have an idea on how to navigate not only non-conference play to prepare you for conference, but also what it will take to be successful in the OVC."
UTRGV joins Eastern Illinois, Houston Christian University, Lindenwood, SIUE, Southern Indiana, UIW, and Western Illinois in the OVC.
 
Last season, The Vaqueros went 0-2-1 against opponents from the OVC, including a hard-fought 1-1 draw against OVC regular season and tournament champion, Lindenwood.
 
UTRGV enters the season with 9 returners, including captains fifth year Eduardo De Oliveira and senior Mouhamed Pouye. Pouye was named an OVC Player to Watch during the preseason.
 
The Vaqueros were picked to make the conference tournament with a fifth-place regular season finish by OVC head coaches or sports information directors. The top six teams from the regular season will battle for the conference tournament championship and for the conference's automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.
 
UTRGV will have a chance to test their might against a pair of Atlantic Sun Conference (ASUN) opponents in its opening weekend.
 
West Florida – Aug. 20, 7:30 p.m. – UWF Soccer Complex – Pensacola, Fla.
 
This is the first meeting between the Argonauts and the Vaqueros. UTRGV will participate it UWF's Kickoff to DI night as the second opponent for their women's and men's soccer doubleheader in the Argonauts first night as an NCAA DI institution.
 
Last season, the Argonauts competed in the NCAA DII's Gulf South Conference, winning the conference tournament and earning a No. 4 seed in the NCAA DII Men's Soccer Tournament. The Argonauts would eventually fall in the second round of the tournament.
 
This season, the Argonauts will compete in the ASUN as a full multi-sport member and the United Athletic Conference as a football-playing member. UWF was picked to finish last in the ASUN preseason poll.
 
UWF will be streaming the match on their website or fans can follow along through live stats.
 
Stetson – Aug. 23, 10 a.m. – UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex
 
UTRGV will host Stetson in its home opener Sunday at 10 a.m. at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex. The Vaqueros is 1-0-1 all-time against the Hatters.
 
The two teams met in last season, a 1-1 draw at Stetson which saw captains De Oliveira and Pouye connect for the go-ahead goal. De Oliveira notched his fifth goal of the season in the match. The Vaqueros defeated the hosting-Hatters 2-0 in 2019.
 
Stetson was picked to finish second in the ASUN preseason poll with two student-athletes, Benjamin Donato and Zsombor Pall being named to the 2026 Preseason All-ASUN Team.
 
UTRGV Athletics has a clear bag policy for spectators attending all athletic events hosted by UTRGV. You can get all the details here.
 
Fans can watch live domestically on ESPN+ or internationally via Southland International. Fans can also follow along through live stats.
 
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