It took just 43 seconds (yes, the clock read 00:43) for the Texas Longhorns to get on the board in the quarterfinal round of the SEC Soccer Tournament.
Facing not only the top-seeded Vanderbilt Commodores, but the No. 1 team in the entire country, freshman midfielder Carolina Swann knocked in a beauty of a game-opening goal, assisted by both junior forward Alicia Riggins and sophomore forward Ava McDonald.
Then, less than 30 minutes later, McDonald scored a goal of her own to put the Horns up 2-0 over the No. 1 'Dores.
While Vanderbilt was able to find the back of the net with less than 11 minutes remaining, the country's top team couldn't answer Texas's defensive stand or offensive effort, and for the first time in program history, the Longhorns defeated the No. 1 team in the nation.
TEXAS CAPTURES THE PROGRAM'S FIRST WIN OVER THE NO. 1 TEAM IN THE COUNTRY 🚨@TexasSoccer x #SECTourney pic.twitter.com/5fIzIL7dsi
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) November 11, 2026
Now, the Horns are advancing to the semis for the first time in two years, with Texas having won the SEC Tournament in 2024 before a disastrous season last year...
To say Margueritte Bates was the right hire for the Horns is an understatement
Just a year ago, the Horns finished the season with a 4-12-1 record. Unsurprisingly, then-head coach Ange Kelly was dismissed, and Athletic Director Chris Del Conte made the move to hire current head coach Margueritte Bates.
Not only has Bates just coached the Longhorns past the No. 1 in the country, but she has led Texas to a 9-4-6 overall record, doubling their win count, while cutting their losses to a third of those from last season.
Her impact was felt almost immediately this season, with the Horns winning three of their first four games to go 3-0-1. Now, her impact is undeniable.
Bates came to Texas from the UCLA Bruins, where she won a National Championship in her first year as a collegiate head coach. Clearly, Del Conte believes she can do the same on the 40 Acres, and as of right now, she has the Horns on the right path.
Of course, the National Champion isn't crowned at the end of the SEC Soccer Tournament, that's only the conference title. However, knocking off the top team in the SEC, and the country's No. 1 team, was a massive achievement.
How to watch Texas vs. No. 25 Arkansas in the SEC Soccer Tournament
Up next, Texas will face the No. 25 Arkansas Razorbacks in the semifinal round, with the winner advancing to the SEC Championship game.
- Date & Time: Thursday, Nov. 12, at 3:30 p.m. CT
- Location: Ashton Brosnaham Soccer Complex, Pensacola, FL
- TV & Streaming: SEC Network, fuboTV
- Live stats: TexasLonghorns.com
Earlier this year, when the Hogs and the Horns played in the regular season, Arkansas walked away with a 3-1 victory. However, when Texas played Vanderbilt in the regular season, the Commodores secured a 5-0 victory, and look at how differently their SEC Tournament meeting played out.
The winner between Texas and Arkansas will advance to play the winner of South Carolina-Alabama in the SEC Championship on Sunday, Nov. 15. Then, the 2026 NCAA Division I women's soccer selection show is set to unfold at 3 p.m. CT the following day.
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