Men’s soccer clashes with No. 16 Oklahoma City for season opener

There's a buzz around the Texas A&M University-Victoria men's soccer team this preseason.

First-year head coach Vince Martinez and first-year assistant Curtis Watson have noticed it in the buildup to Saturday's season opener with No. 16-ranked Oklahoma City University.

"There's a lot of buzz here," Martinez said. "It's not just the change to A&M-Victoria, but the new coaching staff and getting to play a quality opponent. We're all excited and fired up to get the season rolling and Saturday couldn't come quick enough."

The Jaguars (7-7-2, 5-7-1 RRAC in 2024) are eager for the challenge of facing a ranked opponent right out of the gate.

After their preseason, Martinez, who was announced as head coach on Aug. 6, feels this is a good opportunity to put the team's new style of play on the field against somebody not wearing the Jaguars' colors.

"We have close to 30 players with 30 different personalities, and we're trying to implement a style of play and make sure everyone is on the same page," Martinez said. "Putting that all together will definitely show where we're at. That's the challenge for me and coach Curtis to put together. We're looking forward to it against a quality opponent."

The Jaguars return 14 starters from last season's roster, including senior goalkeepers Tyler Kaeppeli and Eric Thust, defenders Jack Dibble, Rhuaraidh Menzies and Jacob Anderson, and two key pieces in the attack in Yahir Pena and Baillie O'Reilly.

O'Reilly shared the team lead for assists last year and Pena is the leading returning goal scorer.

Kaeppeli ranks second all-time in program history for saves (134), clean sheets (15) and matches started (41). He is six saves from tying the career record of 140, four clean sheets from tying the all-time record of 19 and eight starts from tying the record of 49, all set by Brian Redmond (2014-16). He's coming off a career-high 49 saves last season for the Jaguars.

That experience has led to a positive attitude Martinez has noticed from newcomers to returners.

"The attitude has been great," Martinez said. "Everyone's buying in to what we're trying to implement on the field and the togetherness of the team has been fantastic. So, we're just looking forward to getting the season going and see where we end up."

This is the ninth meeting all-time between the Jaguars and Stars (14-2-4, 6-1-2 SAC in 2024). The Jaguars own the series edge 5-2-1 after winning 2-1 at home in the last meeting in 2022.

Last year, the Stars won the Sooner Athletic Conference tournament and reached the Round of 16 in the NAIA Tournament.

"Playing against a quality team, we're going to see where we're at from the get-go," Martinez said. "That's the most important thing, getting everyone on the same page so we're hitting our stride once conference play starts."

Saturday is also Alumni Day presented by Crossroads Bank. Every soccer alumni are encouraged to attend, as well as any University of Houston-Victoria graduate, since it will be the final game played as UHV. Alumni Relations is providing giveaways to all alums in attendance.