The History of TEXAS MEN’S SOCCER

The University of Texas at Austin established its men’s club soccer program in 1964 and it continues to be the highest-level men’s soccer team representing the university. Over the subsequent decades, the program has grown to become one of the premier club soccer programs in the nation, picking up the following silverware in the process:

• 1990: NCSA National Club Soccer Championship
• 1995: NIRSA National Club Soccer Championship
• 1996: NCSA National Club Soccer Championship
• 1997: NIRSA Runner-up National Club Soccer Championship
• 2010: NIRSA Semifinalist National Club Soccer Championship
• 2017: NIRSA Runner-up Open Division National Club Soccer Championship
• 2021: NIRSA Runner-up National Club Soccer Championship • 2022: NIRSA Semifinalist National Club Soccer Championship

Texas Men’s Soccer has turned in a winning record every season since the late 1980’s, thanks to a dedicated coaching staff and alumni, as well as a continual flow of high caliber soccer players seeking a top tier education and uniquely competitive soccer program. Each year, the team plays in a combination of league, tournament and exhibition matches. The following is an abbreviated history of the club’s results & travels.

2020 - PRESENT

Some of the most recent history of Texas Men’s Soccer included a pause in the 2020 season due to COVID. However, the team came roaring back in 2021 and posted a 15-1 league record to reach the NIRSA National Championship Final, where they ultimately fell 3-1 to perennial powerhouse BYU in Foley, AL. This was the team’s best finish since 2010 and the first time reaching the National Final since 1997, where they also fell to BYU by a score of 1-0. The team carried that momentum into the 2022 season, determined to make another deep run. The Horns went on to do just that, posting a 12-1-2 record in league play, with its only draws being against Texas A&M in the regular season and Lone Star College - North Harris in the Regional tournament, and it's only loss coming at the hands of BYU (again) in the National Semifinal.  Looking towards 2023, the team had the goal of another deep run but ultimately fell short in Nationals group play, posting a final season record of 8-4-2.

2000 - 2019

In the 2000s, the team continued to play in the Texas Collegiate Soccer League (TCSL) and made appearances in both the Region IV qualification tournament and the NIRSA National Championship. Matt Prewett took over as Head Coach in 2004 and ushered in a new era of operational and financial stability for the Club while continuing Texas’ winning tradition. The team finished in 1st place in the TCSL conference in 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012; and the Club won Regionals in 2004, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and  2017. During Coach Prewett’s tenure between 2004-17, the team made 10 Appearances at the National  Club Championship Tournament and advanced to  the Sweet 16 six times, including a Final Four appearance in 2010, when they reached the National Semifinal and bowed out on a narrow 1-0 loss to Missouri in the dying minutes of the game. 

1990 - 1999

The nineties has been the most successful decade on record for the UT men’s soccer team. Robert Parr coached the team from 1990 to 1994 leading the team to a national championship in 1990. Alfonso Gutierrez led the team to national championships in 1995 and 1996 and a 2nd in the nation finish in 1997. Alfonso’s coaching record for the 1996 and 1997 season was 37-6-5.

In 1990, the team won the NCSA National Championship held in Austin (Texas) in a thrilling final. After winning the TCSL regular season with a 6 and 1 record, they advanced to the national tournament beating Rice 3-0 in the quarterfinals, University of Kansas 2-0 in the semifinals, and won on penalty kicks 6-5 over Illinois in front of 2,000 screaming fans.

In 1993, Texas travelled to Monterrey, Mexico to compete in the Torneo Internacional Borrego ’93 tournament. Texas won the tournament.

In 1995, the team decided to participate in the NIRSA tournament and cruised to the final game defeating Kansas State by a score of 5 to 1. The UT men’s 2nd team won the NIRSA open bracket tournament the same year.

In 1996, the University of Texas soccer team decided to accept their invitation to travel to Phoenix and compete in the last NCSA hosted national tournament. The team brought the 1996 NCSA National Championship title back to Austin. Facing a highly rated Arizona team in the quarter-finals, the team found the back of the net to win 1-0 in overtime. Texas hit their stride in the semi-final match defeating Mississippi State University 4-0. The Texas men scored two goals in the last 10 minutes of the national title game to defeat the University of Michigan by a score of 2 to 1. This final win brought the fall 1996 season to a 22-2-2 overall record.

In 1997, the Texas men’s soccer team again finished first in the TCSL and at the regional tournament. The team travelled to Georgia to compete in the NIRSA National Championship. Texas and Brigham Young University (BYU) both advanced to face one another in the Saturday night final at 7:00 PM. Both teams created opportunities but the match remained 0-0 through the first 90 minutes and the first overtime period. In double overtime, BYU found the back of the net and Texas settled for a 2nd place finish with a disappointing 1-0 loss. The Horns finished the fall 1997 season with a 15-4-3 overall record.

PRE-1990s

See above slideshow for a look at the many memorable moments enjoyed by the club, either at the Whitaker Fields or on the road.