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Episode Recap:Texas Tech soccer is officially back, and for the first time, the Red Raiders have a little extra time to prepare for what could be another run through one of the toughest conferences in the country.
The Red Raiders opened preseason training on July 15, roughly two weeks earlier than in previous years following changes to the NCAA soccer calendar. The adjustment gives programs additional time with their coaching staffs before the season while also extending the postseason calendar on the back end.
For Texas Tech, that means more time to answer some of the biggest questions surrounding a roster that looks considerably different from the one that took the field last fall.
There is plenty of proven talent back, led by fifth-year defender Kylie Bahr, but Texas Tech must replace several players who became pillars of the program over the past several seasons. That includes two-time Big 12 Defender of the Year Macy Blackburn and several of the team’s most productive offensive creators…and the top 5 assist leaders as a whole from a season ago.
The early impression, though, is that the next version of Texas Tech soccer isn’t lacking energy.
Bahr needed only two words to describe the group coming out of the summer.
“Fit and feisty.”
“I think everybody’s really all in, which is super special,” Bahr said. “I think we have a really special group of girls here, and we put a lot of work into the summer, so I’m excited to see how it will all take off.”
That energy was evident during Texas Tech’s first official practice. The Red Raiders were flying around the field from the opening session, with newcomers and returners alike getting their first opportunity of the summer to work in an organized setting with the coaching staff.
It is a different dynamic than a year ago. Entering last season, much of the uncertainty surrounded a rebuilt back line while Texas Tech returned many of its established offensive creators. This year, the situation is almost reversed.
The Red Raiders return both starting center backs in Eleanor Hays and Emily McCartney after the two successfully navigated their first season playing alongside one another. Bahr also returns on the outside after battling through injuries last season.
The questions now center largely around how Texas Tech replaces the creation lost from Blackburn and there top five assist leaders as a whole. They return one of the leading goal scorers in conference in country in Taylor Zdrojewski, but who will be setting her up?
Could it be potential breakout player Emma Torres? Or perhaps any of the incoming transfers or freshman that joined this spring and summer.
One potential answer is Abby Sine, a transfer from BYU who arrived in Lubbock after previously developing in the U.S. youth national team system. She plays outside back as a defender, but in this system that role is heavy in attack as well. Sine’s energy immediately stood out during the opening practice, and she gives the Red Raiders another experienced option who could factor into the lineup.
Texas Tech also added Penn State transfer Emma Fassora and perhaps its most accomplished newcomer in Florida State goalkeeper Addie Todd. Todd arrives in Lubbock after three seasons with one of the premier programs in college soccer. She was part of two national championship teams at Florida State and started throughout her sophomore season as the Seminoles won the ACC.
Texas Tech nearly landed the Colorado native coming out of high school before Todd ultimately chose Florida State. This time, the Red Raiders got their goalkeeper. Her early transition has been helped by the culture she found waiting for her in Lubbock.
“That’s what’s so special about this program, is the chemistry and culture on and off the field,” Todd said. “This team is so close. They’ve welcomed all the newbies with open arms. I’m so thankful to be here and excited to see how that’s going to translate on the field.”
Todd already looks comfortable directing the group from the back. Her positioning and communication stood out during the portion of Texas Tech’s opening practice available to the media, and she brings significant experience to a position that has produced several standout players in recent years.
Head coach Tom Stone believes the three experienced transfers share many of the qualities Texas Tech values.
“They’re just winners,” Stone said. “They come from high-pedigree programs. They’re extreme competitors. We are so thankful that players of that ability and that experience level have come in with just such enthusiasm.”
The newcomers join a roster that also features a large freshman class and several returning players who could provide Texas Tech with an additional boost as they work their way back from injuries.
Kaitlyn Giametta and Chloe Soto were both participating in practice in non-contact roles during the opening week of preseason.
Soto has not appeared in a match since suffering an injury during the 2024 season. She was an important piece of Texas Tech’s 2023 Big 12 championship team as a freshman, bringing a physical presence and edge to the midfield.
Giametta’s 2025 season ended almost as soon as it began when she suffered a knee injury against San Diego State. Before leaving that match, she had already made an immediate impact scoring a goal and adding in an assist in only twenty minutes of action. Getting either player back would provide another layer of depth. Getting both back healthy could give Texas Tech two experienced pieces capable of changing games.
The Red Raiders are also adjusting to a change on the coaching staff with Brock Duckworth taking over as goalkeeper coach.
Duckworth arrived after coaching at South Florida, where he helped develop one of the top goalkeepers in the American Athletic Conference. Stone described him as one of the rising young coaches in the profession, and Todd has already spoken positively about their developing relationship. He inherits an intriguing goalkeeper room headlined by Todd alongside freshman Cooper Dick, giving Texas Tech both an experienced option and young talent to develop for the future.
All of it adds up to a roster with plenty of upside but also plenty still to sort out before the games count.
Texas Tech will get its first test Aug. 6 when New Mexico visits Lubbock for an exhibition match. Unlike in recent seasons, when the Red Raiders traveled for their preseason exhibition, fans will get an early opportunity to see the new-look roster at home.
Then the regular season begins one week later in Hawai’i. Texas Tech will open against host Hawai’i on Aug. 13 before facing Seattle on Aug. 16. The Red Raiders then return to Lubbock for their regular-season home opener against Boise State on Aug. 23.
The nonconference schedule also includes a home matchup with Pepperdine and a road trip to SMU before the difficulty increases significantly in Big 12 play.
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