SAN MARCOS, Texas – The 2022 Texas State soccer season officially begins on Thursday when St. Mary's (TX) comes to town. Kickoff at the Bobcat Soccer Complex is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
 
The match will be streamed on ESPN+ with Brant Freeman and Katie Goodwin on the call. Live stats will also be available.
 
About Texas State
The Bobcats return 16 players from last year and welcome in 11 newcomers while being led by head coach Steve Holeman, who is took over the program back in February. Four of last year's top six scorers are back led by Kiara Gonzales. The senior netted a team best five goals and added three assists to pace the squad with 13 points. Mya Ulloa (3 G, 5 A) totaled 11 points while Bailey Peschel and Olivia Wright both found the back of the net two times.
 
Other key returners are Beth Agee (GK), Katelyn Chrisman (GK), Anna Dunch (D), Madi Goss (MF), Zoe Junior (F), Haley Shaw (MF/F), Avery Thies (D) and Kamaria Williams (D).
 
TXST newcomers includes eight true freshmen and three transfers. Using their extra-year of eligibility due to COVID are defenders Caroline Kirschner and Juana Plata from St. Edward's and Lamar, respectively. Westyn Henderson arrived in San Marcos after spending the last two years at Texas A&M. The eight freshmen are Nia Chacon, Lily Erb, Mallory Henderson, Chloe Jones, Alexis Neal, Addison Peters, Grace Reddic and Kate Roberts.
 
About St. Mary's
The Rattlers are coming off a 9-7-2 season and finished 7-4-2 in the Lone Star Conference. In the conference's preseason poll, they were picked to finish sixth in the 13-team league.
 
Juni Ejere led the team in 2021 with eight goals and 18 points. She is also the top returner with 40 shot attempts and 22 shots on goal. Defender Megan Copeland tallied six goals, 22 shots and 14 SOG in a team-high 1,676 minutes on the pitch. Other returning multi-goal scorers are Alexis Garcia (2), Eliza Merrion (4) and Kyle Von Holle (3).
 
In goal, Rebecca Difronzo played in all 18 matches and started 17 of them. The senior recorded a 1.02 GAA while making 96 saves and sporting a .842 save percentage.
 
All-Time Series
Texas State leads the all-time series 3-0-0. All of the previous meetings have also taken place in San Marcos with the last being on Aug. 22, 2009. The Bobcats have won twice by 2-0 scores (2009 & 1999) and once 3-0 (2008).
 
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