AUSTIN, Texas — Standards have defined the first preseason of a new era for St. Edward's women's soccer, which opens the season on Sunday with a new head coach for the first time in two decades.
 
Nuno Gourgel inherits a program shaped by Nick Cowell, who retired in January after 20 seasons, 256 victories, and 12 NCAA Tournament appearances on the Hilltop. His objective isn't to separate St. Edward's from that history, but to restore the program to lofty highs it reached at the height of Cowell's tenure. 
 
"Nick did pretty well, and we want to get back to that standard so we can hopefully carry on what he built here," Gourgel said. 
 
Gourgel arrived in April after one season as an assistant coach at NCAA Division I Utah Valley, where he helped the Wolverines to a Western Athletic Conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. 
 
His work started with a few weeks on campus near the end of the spring semester. With players adjusting to an unexpected coaching change, Gourgel focused first on establishing relationships. He stayed in contact throughout the summer, often calling without discussing soccer. 
 
"That's helped bridge the gap a little bit," Gourgel said. "The important part has been the time we've spent getting to know what makes the team tick as both soccer players and people."
 
Those relationships provide the foundation for expectations Gourgel has introduced. He wants the Hilltoppers to play with grit, take pride in representing St. Edward's, and believe they can compete with the best programs in Division II. 
 
"A lot of that is about the people," Gourgel said. "We just need to give them confidence through hard work and put them in a place where they feel they can perform at a high level." 
 
The players noticed the change almost immediately.
 
"We had him in the spring for a little bit, and in those few weeks, I noticed a big difference in the way he was pushing everyone," sophomore defender TESS DABNEY said. "Everyone's mindset changed. It's like a fresh start for the program with a new set of standards and goals." 
 
The Hilltoppers return a large group that understands the difference between where the program has been and where it wants to go. St. Edward's finished 7-10-3 last season, including 6-6-2 in Lone Star Conference play, but rallied from a 1-3-2 start in the league to win five of its final eight regular-season matches. 
 
That surge earned the Hilltoppers the final spot in the LSC Tournament, advancing past Lubbock Christian on penalty kicks before ending its season in the quarterfinals against Midwestern State. 
 
The finish offered evidence of the roster's potential, but the players returned understanding that occasional stretches of strong play would not be enough. 
 
"We've focused a lot on the standards the coach has set so far," Sophomore defender Taylor Williams said. "Everyone has embraced the challenge and is ready for what's coming." 
 
A large, close-knit junior class provides continuity during the transition. Many of its members have played together for two seasons and experienced the narrow margins that determine results in the LSC.

"Because we've been together for so long, we know what it's going to take," junior midfielder SIERRA PADILLA said. "Our chemistry is going to be more instant, so hopefully we'll see results sooner."

Several Hilltoppers spent the summer competing in USL soccer to prepare for the increased expectations. ANNIE ROCHA, ABIGAIL HALL, RAINEY SIMMONS, MACY JENNINGS and MADISON CRESWELL played alongside and against Division I players, while Carmen Massey competed for Lonestar San Antonio.

"The pace and the level were different," Creswell said. "Girls expected more of you because they have high expectations for their season. The mindset and the grind were different."

That experience reflects Gourgel's approach to the 2026 schedule. Rather than easing into his first season, the Hilltoppers will use one of the nation's most challenging slates to measure themselves against the level they hope to reach.

"I love the schedule," Gourgel said. "Every game is an opportunity for the ladies to challenge themselves, grow and see what they're capable of and the standard we want to reach. We want to win at a high level, and the best way to do that is to play against those teams. The staff can say as much as we want about what our level should be, but playing against it will be a better teacher than what we can communicate."

St. Edward's opens at home against Southwestern Oklahoma State on August 30 before traveling to No. 10 UCCS on September 3 and Regis on September 6. The Hilltoppers return home to face No. 7 Nova Southeastern on September 9, followed three days later by their LSC opener against Texas Woman's, selected third in the conference preseason poll.

The conference schedule also includes a home match against defending LSC champion and preseason No. 5 DBU on October 21.

Junior forward Rocha leads the returning attack after scoring seven goals with one assist in only 12 appearances last season. She missed the final eight regular-season matches with a knee injury before returning in the LSC Tournament, scoring against Lubbock Christian and converting the deciding penalty kick.

Rocha has scored 17 goals through her first two seasons and was named St. Edward's Offensive Player to Watch by the LSC.
The Hilltoppers must replace leading scorer MARIE HANNEDOUCHE but return several players who contributed to an attack that produced 27 goals. ISABELLA RUIZ and AVA MAULDIN scored twice each last season, Simmons contributed a goal and two assists, and JISELL ZAVALETA DENOVA recorded four assists.

In goal, senior DARIA SCHLUMBOHM returns after starting all 20 matches and recording 76 saves last season. The two-time LSC All-Academic selection has made 50 career starts with 215 saves and 15 shutouts.

Dabney, the Hilltoppers' LSC Defensive Player to Watch, started 12 matches and played nearly 1,275 minutes as a freshman. Junior LANE ROGERS also returns after starting all 16 of her appearances last season.

The returning experience is joined by several newcomers, including transfer defender JORJA BRAGG and Austin-area freshman EMERSON BAREFOOT. The competition for roles has brought additional urgency to training.

"I think everyone is going to work as hard as we can because it's new," Williamson said. "We're fighting for the same spots. I'm excited to see who comes out on top and who plays."

St. Edward's was selected eighth in the 15-team LSC preseason poll, occupying the final projected conference tournament position by only two points over Lubbock Christian. Gourgel is less concerned with the prediction than with whether the Hilltoppers consistently meet the expectations they have established.

"I want us to be gritty and take pride in who we are and how we represent this school," Gourgel said. "We talked about standards, and as long as they worked over the summer, we're going to surprise a lot of people."

The schedule will reveal how close St. Edward's is to its desired destination. The standard will determine whether the Hilltoppers eventually reach it.