For most of Texas State Soccer’s 27-year history, they’ve always seemed to be the side chasing the tempo but not setting it against the top teams. That wasn’t the case this past week as the Bobcats secured two program-defining wins against Texas A&M and No. 6 Baylor.

Their 3-2 victory against the Aggies at the Bobcat Soccer Complex was their first win against SEC opposition, and their 3-1 win against the Bears on the road at Betty Lou Mays Field in Waco, Texas, marked the first time the program had ever beaten a ranked opponent.

“We lose a lot of recruits to schools just like A&M, TCU, Texas and all the power four schools,” Steve Holeman, Texas State head coach, said after the win against A&M. “I think this is one of those games that coaches around the country see the result and go ‘Wow, Texas State, they must be decent, huh?’”

Texas State has come out of the gate firing on all cylinders in the 2026 season. Scorelines aside, any team can squeeze out a win by sheer luck and variables, but the Bobcats looked like the better team in both matches. That’s been, in large part, due to them excelling in two major categories: set pieces and composure.

Set pieces occur when a dead ball is put into play after a stoppage, whether it be a corner, free kick, penalty kick, goal kick or throw-in.

In college soccer, set pieces can make or break a season, as height advantages and good deliveries easily tip the tide in specific scenarios. Even though the Bobcats aren’t considered a particularly tall team, they do get good service into the box and it’s enough to do some damage.

Texas State scored three goals off of set pieces against Texas A&M and Baylor, with junior defender Jenny Ngankem being the main set piece taker, as sophomores Brook Martinez and Matsuri Tsutsui were also involved. Tsutsui’s delivery is usually focused on placement, while Ngankem’s deliveries also cover large distances, meaning that teams usually have to set up deep near their own goal to defend her crosses.

Texas State sophomore midfielder Matsuri Tsutsui goes after the ball, Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2026, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats beat Texas A&M 3-2. (Libby Allen)

For example, Texas State’s first goal against the Aggies came thanks to a long ball from Ngankem, passing it to senior Victoria Meza, who was left unmarked in the box and scored easily.

“We practiced it a ton in preseason and [Meza and I] have a good connection in particular,” Ngankem said. “I see her, and I know where to put the ball for her.”

Composure is an aspect of soccer that’s often overlooked but is important in deciding the flow of the game. Teams like Baylor hope to expose their opposition with a high and tight press, leading to a constant state of discomfort that they can later exploit.

Texas State was not immune to this, but players like junior defender Nina Norshie and sophomore midfielder Alexis Montgomery have given the team a sense of pause and press resistance in possession. This allowed the Bobcats to not only keep the ball and put Baylor on the back foot but also diminish Baylor’s ability to apply constant pressure to Texas State’s backline.

The Bobcats’ results against the Aggies and Bears are proof that Texas State is no longer an average mid-major program. Mid-majors don’t come back from several deficits and come out as winners against teams with the pedigree and reputation as Texas A&M, and they certainly don’t win by multi-goal margins against top 10 sides such as Baylor.

Yet, the Bobcats have found a way to not only compete against these power schools but now win against them. More results like these will only add further proof that Texas State belongs as one of the schools to be reckoned with, not only in the state but in the larger college soccer landscape.

The Bobcats will return to San Marcos and face off against East Texas A&M at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 27 at the Bobcat Soccer Complex. Fans will be able to watch the game for free through the Pac-12 YouTube channel.