Following a lackluster performance in 2025, Texas A&M soccer finished the year with a record of 2-6-2 in Southeastern Conference play, calling for a change in leadership. 

Under first-year head coach Bobby Shuttleworth, the Aggies began their spring season at Ellis Field on Saturday, March 21, against Dallas Baptist. 

The former Florida State associate head coach spent the last four seasons on the Seminoles’ coaching staff, recording an overall record of 70-7-12. Only hours before accepting the job at A&M, Shuttleworth led Florida State to its fifth national championship in program history. 

In the second game of its 2025 spring exhibition schedule, A&M couldn’t find any success against DBU, leaving the field after a scoreless draw. 

Marking the start of a new era at Ellis Field, the new-look Aggies bested the Patriots 2-0, with a pair of third-period goals from senior midfielder Trinity Buchanan and freshman forward Ireland Churchill. 

A&M’s spring roster includes 21 returnees along with four early-enrollee freshmen: goalkeeper Makenna August, F Finley Lacher, F Kieana Smith and Churchill. 

First 60 minutes

As the saying goes, the best defense is a good offense. By keeping the ball on DBU’s side of the pitch, A&M limited the Patriots to only three shots through the entirety of the game. The Aggies quickly attacked on offense, attempting 12 total shots in the first period, six of which were at the opposing goal. 

At the match’s first break, the Maroon and White exchanged a significant amount of their lineup, such as swapping August for senior GK Erica Defferding. 

In the second period, A&M attempted twice as many shots as DBU to no avail. It wasn’t until the match’s final 30 minutes that the Aggies broke through the scoreless stalemate. 

Third period

Thanks to a shot from Buchanan, the Fightin’ Farmers secured their first goal of 2026 to take a 1-0 lead over the Patriots. To widen the scoring gap, Churchill joined the goal party with a shot of her own to give A&M a two-point advantage. As the final period expired, the Aggies sustained their 2-0 lead to secure their first victory of the spring season over the Patriots. 

Throughout the course of the match, A&M outperformed DBU on both sides of the pitch, outshooting the Patriots 24-3 and allowing only a single shot at the Aggies’ goal. 

Shuttleworth’s inaugural win pushes A&M’s spring season record to 1-0, an immediate improvement from 2025’s 0-1 start. 

The Maroon and White will continue their five-game exhibition schedule on the campus of Texas Woman’s University in Denton for a match against Texas Tech on Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m.