Tarleton State Women's Soccer is the newest program to come to Tarleton State University. With the move to NCAA Division I and the Western Athletic Conference, Tarleton State made the decision to add women's soccer as the university's 15th intercollegiate sport and had its first competition on Aug.19, 2022.
Since 1899, Tarleton State University has set out on a single path: Ever forward, ever onward. For well over a century, our campus, our capabilities, our reach and our impact have evolved; our path forward must evolve as well. At Tarleton State, we empower each other with resources that are among the best in the world. We instill passion and conviction to become heroes, trailblazers and champions. We share opportunities to unlock the greatness within. We wish for everyone who studies here and teaches here, who works here and graduates from here to tap into the infinite wells of potential.
Tarleton State Texans pursue greatness in all efforts, promoting a spirit of leadership, adaptability, and innovation for exceptional outcomes and a better world.
Our Head Coach
Pete Cuadrado, a two-time Division I Conference Coach of the Year and NCAA Tournament head coach, was named the first women’s soccer program head coach in Tarleton State University history. The program played its first games in the Fall 2022 season. Starting in 2025, coach Cuadrado serves as the WAC Conference representative to the United Soccer Coaches Association. In 2024, coach Cuadado led the Texans to new heights, with the Purple and White advancing to their first conference tournament appearance. He helped four athletes gain ALL-WAC honors after the regular season. Mikayla Kendall and Kaitlyn Flanagan were named to the second team and Kimberley Hjálmarsdóttir and Adelaide Wyrzynski were tabbed to the all-freshman team. Additionally, Kendall was named to the All-Pacific region second team by the United Soccer Coaches.
Cuadrado has established success in helping build two separate Division I teams into championship programs, posting a career 168-131-42 record as a head coach prior to arriving in Stephenville.
Cuadrado's squad set several team records on the pitch in 2024.The team's nine overall wins and three conference victories set new school records in their third season. For the first time in program history, the crew post a sub-one goals against average, 0.95. The team defense also set a new single-season high with eight shutouts across the season. The offense was at its best as well, setting a new record with 29 total goals. After his first three seasons in Stephenville, Cuadrado has pushed his program to the most wins in the first three seasons by any team that has orginated in Division I in the past 10 years.
Coaching Staff
When the 2025 season begins, Rex Carrell will enter his fifth year as an assistant soccer coach at Tarleton State University. Carrell became the first person in school history to hold the role when he joined Pete Cuadrado’s staff in 2021. In his role, Carrell assisted in all facets of program operations, including equipment, team schedules, on-campus recruiting and day-to-day office tasks.
Lexi Stinson enters her first season on the Tarleton State bench for Tarleton State head coach Pete Cuadrado. Stinson joins the Texan coaching staff after spending the last eight years as the head coach of the University of Dallas women's soccer program. Lexi is the second all-time winningest coach in program history.
Chaviers-Bledsoe enters her second season with the Texans. Chaviers enjoyed a four-year prep career at Stephenville High School, where she was a three-sport star. Following her outstanding prep career, she took her talents to Coral Gables to play in the ACC for the University of Miami. Chaviers-Bledsoe signed to play professionally in Iceland for a pair of seasons following her collegiate playing days. She played for two seasons for Fjardab Höttur Leiknir (FHL). After a pair of seasons she chose to return to the United States. She spent time with the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL in 2023 before she suffered a career-ending injury in the preseason.
Facilities on the Horizon
The Tarleton Soccer Complex was installed prior to the Texans’ inaugural NCAA soccer season at the university in Fall 2022. Formerly the home to Rec Sports intramural soccer, lacrosse, and rugby, the field was expanded to meet NCAA requirements in the summer of 2021. The field turf was installed by Hellas on the north side of the Tarleton State campus off Frey Street. Hellas installed a world- class laying surface, Hellas Matrix Helix Turf with Ecotherm infill. Scoreboards are on the northeast and southwest corners of the facility with metal bleachers for ample fan seating. The Helix feature for Matrix Turf has shape memory technology that is added during the manufacturing/extrusion process which makes each fiber curl. The curled monofilament fiber secures the infill, which prevents migration and “splash out” and produces a uniform, aesthetically pleasing playing surface.
About The Turf: The unique shape of the Ecotherm Infill and the necessary distribution process allows this infill to keep a field up to 30 degrees cooler than a synthetic field with SBR black crumb rubber infill. No irrigation is required with the Ecotherm infill, and it is 100% recyclable, made from recyclable and cellulose fibers. The combination of Matrix Helix Turf and Ecotherm infill provides an elite playing surface and is used by many elite programs across the country.
“It plays great. I’ve been impressed with the surface and how it truly does play like real grass. It bounces like real grass, and it doesn’t get hot.” - head coach Pete Cuadrado
Academics
The ultimate goal of Tarleton State University student-athletes is graduation, and Tarleton State's student-athletes have one of the finest facilities to pursue their academic goals in the Tarleton Athletics Student-Athlete Academic Center. The Student-Athlete Academic Center was officially opened in the spring of 2018 to the student-athletes of Tarleton State University. The facility provides a strong study environment for student-athletes to achieve their academic goals. It includes 20 computers and free copying and printing services for student-athletes to utilize.
The Student Success Program includes three full-time academic coordinators and two graduate assistants, all housed within athletics, who oversee advising and registration, one-one-one mentoring, which focuses primarily on time management and study skills, and tutoring services.
Strength and conditioning
The Texans Athletic Performance Center is an 8,000-square foot space with 32-foot ceilings that offers resistance training, cardiovascular options, a plyometric area, injury accommodation, technology for assessment, technology for databasing, athlete hydration, plus office space for Tarleton State Athletic Performance staff.
"Make no mistake, this is one of the premier athletic performance centers in the country, and a game-changer for Texan Athletics," Vice President and Director of Athletics Steve Uryasz said. "I want to sincerely thank President Hurley for his unwavering commitment to athletics. This incredible facility wouldn't have been possible without his vision and leadership."
Build Your Brand
Tarleton State Athletics, in partnership with INFLCR, is taking the next step for its student-athletes in the era of N. I. L. Tarleton State partners with the global leaders in content and compliance software to assists student-athletes with personal branding, financial literacy, compliance and more.
Tarleton State Athletics and INFLCR have partnered to provide N.I.L opportunities for student-athletes.
Tarleton State is a proud partner of INFLCR for all its N.I.L. opportunities. INFLCR provides a school-customized N.I.L. exchange as an extension to their athletics website where the school can send any business, individual or collective seeking to bring N.I.L. opportunities to its student-athletes. Once registered, businesses can search, communicate, pay and report on behalf of student-athletes they're transacting with, streamlining the student-athlete's compliance and tax reporting responsibilities in their existing INFLCR app experience.
Athletic Training
The sports medicine staff at Tarleton State University consists of 12 licensed, certified athletic trainers (10 full-time staff and two graduate assistants). They provide prevention, assessment, emergency care, therapeutic intervention, and administration of athletic injuries and illnesses. The sports medicine staff works closely with Cross Timbers Orthopaedics, Tanglewood Pharmacy, HomeTown Physical Therapy, and the Student Health Center to provide comprehensive care for student-athletes in 17 intercollegiate sports, plus cheer and dance. The athletic training staff also serves as preceptors for Tarleton’s entry-level Masters of Science in Athletic Training program.
When the 2025-26 season begins, Aaron Holcomb will start his fifth season at Tarleton State. He is in his third year in a full-time role after two years as a graduate assistant. Holcomb leads athletic training efforts for soccer and men’s golf. As a graduate assistant athletic trainer, he worked with the women's soccer, cross country and track and field programs. A native of McKinney, Texas, Holcomb earned a master's degree in sports management at Tarleton State, a bachelor's degree in athletic training at TCU and an associate's degree at Howard College.
The Western athletic conference
Tarleton State has been a proud member of the Western Athletic Conference since 2020. From its inception in 1962, the Western Athletic Conference has been committed to excellence in intercollegiate athletics, while promoting the academic missions of its member institutions. Progressive in its approach, the WAC continues to cultivate opportunities for student-athletes to compete at the highest level while fostering academic achievement and sportsmanship.
The WAC has experienced tremendous success over the years. In men’s basketball, the WAC has sent at least two teams to the NCAA Tournament 28 different times. In baseball, the WAC has boasted two national champions since 2003. In women’s basketball, the conference has had at least two teams qualify for the NCAA Tournament 10 different times, with a record five teams in 1998. The WAC also sent teams to three BCS football bowl games from 2007-10.
About stephenville
Stephenville was first patented by John M. Stephen on February 24, 1853. After over 160 years, this city has transformed into one of the fastest growing “college towns” in the State of Texas, and has so much to offer its residents whether they be college students, senior citizens, or families. Tarleton State University is located in the Heart of Stephenville, and has several outreach programs that give the community a special, close-knit feeling.
As the ‘Cowboy Capital of the World’, Stephenville is uniquely home to more professional rodeo cowboys and cowgirls than any other place in the world. And the equine industry continues to grow throughout the surrounding County. The ‘City of Champions’ designation reflects the commitment as a community to excellence in youth and civic organizations. Our community strongly believes that investing in our youth is a wise and worthwhile endeavor. Families seeking a positive place to raise kids will find an excellent school system, civic organizations dedicated to youth programs, numerous sports leagues, and family fun events at parks, museums and churches throughout the year. Stephenville is a special place that reflects pride in the community’s rich heritage and commitment to the future. We feel confident you will soon see why Stephenville has been listed as one of 'The 100 Best Small Towns in America!'
About Fort Worth
Fort Worth — the most typically Texan of all Texas cities — began as a tiny outpost on a lonely frontier. Today, this metropolitan area of more than 900,000 people blends its cattle and oil heritage seamlessly with an ever-growing, diverse array of new businesses and industries. Fort Worth was established through the efforts, the courage and the sacrifices of countless men and women; and the story, even in barest outline, is an American saga.
Less than an hour and half drive from Stephenville, Fort Worth offers a number of attractions that make for a fun get away. Whether you're visiting the Stockyards, attending a concert, or looking for a day full of fun, food and shopping, Fort Worth offers everything a Texan could want.
About Dallas
In recent decades, Dallas has experienced significant economic growth and urban revitalization and has become a prominent center for technology, telecommunications, healthcare, and other industries. Today, Dallas stands as one of the largest and most influential cities in the United States, known for its booming economy, diverse cultural scene, and welcoming atmosphere. It is a testament to the spirit of progress and resilience that has defined Dallas throughout its remarkable history.
Just a two-hour drive from Stephenville, Dallas is home to various cultural institutions, including the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Meyerson Symphony Center.
Dallas is also a sports lover’s paradise. The city has several professional sports teams, including the Dallas Cowboys, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Texas Rangers. Whether you enjoy football, basketball, or baseball, there is always a game to watch in Dallas.
Life On Campus
The Tarleton State campus sits in the center of Stephenville and enriches the lives of students with a traditional college experience, offering more than 18 on campus living options, a gym, study areas and variety of student organizations that meet on campus. Students at the Stephenville campus have the opportunity for field learning and internship experience with many of the local businesses. Stephenville allows students to earn a high quality education, while staying in an area that feels just like home and with a lot of history.
As a Tarleton State University student, you will have many opportunities to get involved throughout your time here. Tarleton offers recreational sports, clubs, fraternities/sororities, and over 100 different student organizations! There are plenty of organizations on campus that will fit exactly what you are looking for when wanting to get involved.
Traditions Hall is one of 18 on campus living centers, located directly across from the Tarleton State Events Center.
Off The Field
The Tarleton State Soccer program is family-first The Texans spend a lot of time together on and off the pitch, from going to local coffee shops to practice to traveling nationwide. There is room for fun on and off the pitch when you're a Texan.
Whether in times of triumph or challenge, the Tarleton State Soccer embodies the true meaning of unity and togetherness.
Life After Soccer
In terms of Student Athlete success, Tarleton State boasts student-athlete academic success. After soccer, Texans embark on diverse career paths, supported by the institutions comprehensive Career Services.
Tarleton State Alumni successfully transition into various professions, contributing significantly to their communities and industries.
Tarleton State University is proud to celebrate high graduation rates, empowering students to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
Tarleton State Soccer is supportive of any and all majors a student-athlete wants to pursue. Some student-athletes are in extensive majors such as engineering, business, kinesiology and more. No matter what field student-athletes decide to pursue, Tarleton State Tennis will do everything to help its players be successful both on and off the court.
Credits:
Editorial/Design: Maggie Miller, Gavin Patrick, Grant Cohen