Following are capsules on each of the 11 Big 12 soccer teams going into conference play. Teams are in order of predictions made by the coaches. Note: Colorado and Oklahoma State played their first Big 12 match the second week of the season.
Texas A&M Aggies (5-3)
Coach: G. Guerrieri, 273-78-15, 17th season
Last season: 18-5-1, 7-2-1 (2nd Big 12); NCAA quarterfinalists
Ranking: No. 13
Best result: 3-1 vs. No. 2 Portland
Worst result: 3-2 vs. Purdue
Key players: Soph. D Bri Young (3 goals, 2 assists); Jr GKs Kristin Arnold and Kelly Dyer, preseason all-Big 12; Jr. F Whitney Hooper (4 goals, 1 assist)
Missouri Tigers (4-4-1)
Coach: Bryan Blitz, 141-119-12, 14th season
Last season: 16-5-2, 7-3 (third); NCAA second round
Ranking: None
Best result: 2-1 at Auburn
Worst result: 4-1 at Long Beach State
Key players: Sr. D Crystal Wagner; Sr. MF Meghan Pfeiffer; Sr. F Kristin Andrighetto.
Play A&M: Oct. 4 at A&M
Colorado Buffaloes (4-5, 1-0)
Coach: Bill Hempen, 93-56-23, ninth season
Last season: 14-5-4, 6-2-2 (fourth); NCAA first round
Ranking: None
Best result: 1-0 vs. Oklahoma St.
Worst result: 4-0 at Stanford
Key players: Soph. D Caroline Danneberg and Sr. F Nikki Marshall (3 goals) both preseason all-Big 12
Play A&M: Oct. 23 at A&M
Oklahoma State Cowgirls (6-3, 0-1)
Coach: Colin Carmichael, 59-16-13, fifth season
Last season: 18-1-4, 7-1-2, (first); NCAA second round
Ranking: Receiving votes
Best result: 4-1 vs. SMU
Worst result: 1-0 vs. Southern Cal
Key players: Soph. D Melinda Mercado (1 assist); Sr. MF Siera Strawser (4 goals, 2 assists) and Sr. F Kasey Langdon (2 goals, 1 assist) , all preseason all-Big 12
Play A&M: Oct. 9 at OSU
Texas Longhorns (3-5)
Coach: Chris Petrucelli, 11th season, 135-64-18
Last season: 13-4-4, 5-2-3 (T-fifth) NCAA second round
Ranking: None
Best result: 2-0 vs. Kentucky
Worst result: 4-0 vs. Washington State
Key players: Jr. D Erica Campanelli, preseason all-Big 12; Jr. F Niki Arlitt (1 goal, 3 assists)
Play A&M: Oct. 30 at A&M
Kansas Jayhawks (7-1-1)
Coach: Mark Francis, 117-78-15, 10th season
Last season: 13-8-2, 4-5-1 (seventh)
Ranking: No. 20
Best result: 1-0 vs. Arizona State, at Knoxville
Worst result: 0-0 at Colorado College
Key players: Soph. F/MF Emily Cresey (5 goals, 2 assists); Sr. F/MF Monica Dolinsky (3 goals, 5 assists)
Play A&M: Oct. 2. at A&M
Nebraska Cornhuskers (5-1-2)
Coach: John Walker, 225-86-17, 15th season
Last season: 10-9-1, 6-4 (t-fifth)
Ranking: Receiving votes
Best result: 2-0 at Colorado College
Worst result: 3-1 at Lehigh
Key players: Sr. D Carly Peetz (2 goals, 2 assists); Fr. F Morgan Marlborough (13 goals, 4 assists)
Play A&M: Oct. 18 at NU
Texas Tech Red Raiders (5-4)
Coach: Tom Stone, 20-20-2, third season
Last season: 8-10-1, 3-7 (eighth)
Ranking: None
Best result: 3-1 vs. Vanderbilt
Worst result: 2-3 vs. Utah State
Key players: Fr. MF Dawn Ward (7 goals); Soph. MF Taylor Lytle 2 goals, 6 assists)
Play A&M: Oct. 25 at A&M
Oklahoma Sooners (5-3-1)
Coach: Nicole Nelson, 3-15-1, second season
Last season: 3-15-1, 2-7-1 (ninth)
Ranking: None
Best result: 3-1 vs. Tulsa
Worst result: 0-4 at LSU
Key players: Jr. F Whitney Palmer (7 goals, 2 assists); Fr. F Dria Hampton (2 goals, 4 assists)
Play A&M: Sept. 27 at OU
Baylor Lady Bears (4-1-2)
Coach: Marci Jobson, 5-11-3, second season
Last season: 5-11-3, 1-7-2 (10th)
Ranking: None
Best result: 1-1 at Rice
Worst result: 1-2 at North Texas
Key players: Sr. GK Gianna Quintanna (.46 GAA); Fr. F Hanna Gilmore (3 goals, 3 assists)
Play A&M: Sept. 25 at BU
Iowa State Cyclones (4-1-4)
Coach: Wendy Dillinger, 5-12-2, second season
Last season: 5-12-2, 0-8-2 (11th)
Ranking: None
Best result: 3-1 vs. No. 20 DePaul
Worst result: 0-0 vs. Drake
Key players: Senior GK Ann Gleason (.71 GAA), preseason all-Big 12; Fr. MF Amanda Woelfel (3 goals, 1 assist)
Play A&M: Oct. 16 at ISU
-- RICHARD CROOME
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