Soccer Visits with Media on First Day of Practice

Texas A&M soccer and new coach Bobby Shuttleworth has opened his first training camp in Aggieland, as the team gets ready to begin the 2026 season. Thursday marked the first day of practice at Ellis Field. Some important dates to remember:

• Thursday, July 16: practice begins
• Wednesday, August 5: first exhibition match (vs UIW, 7:00 PM, Ellis Field)
• Wednesday, August 12: season opener at Rice (7:00 PM)
• Saturday, August 22: home opener vs Sam Houston (8:00 PM, Ellis Field)

Bobby, along with junior Sydney Fuller and sophomore Riley Crooks, talked with the press prior to Thursday's practice beginning — here's what you need to know. (You can also watch the sessions below.)

The Big 3

1. Building a program off relationships. Shuttleworth calls himself a "big relationship person" and said they made that a huge focus in the offseason, especially with the roster turnover and integrating the new players with those who were here last year. He talked about spending the Spring and Summer building those relationships and, now that the season is here, slowly working into training the way they want to play and the expectations they as a staff have for the program. So far? "I feel really good about our team right now and feel like we're in a really good place."
2. The World Cup as a benefit to the sport and the program. Shuttleworth says that it's clear that there's a huge buzz around the sport, as evidenced by the crowds and television coverage throughout this World Cup. From a Texas A&M perspective, he's stepping in to one of the most well-supported college programs in the nation and knows that the Aggies historically are near the top of all the NCAA's attendance charts. With the home opener just over a month away, the staff is excited to see the 12th Man in full effect for the first time. "We really want that (fan support) to continue and hope people come out and support our program. And I obviously believe that is going to be the case."
3. Adjusting to a new staff and large number of new players. Goalkeeper Sydney Fuller, one of the returners off the 2025 team, thought those coming back had a really solid Spring with a completely new coaching staff. She said the returners undersatnd what is expected of them, and they're taking the time right now to help bring the large group of new faces (transfers and true freshmen) into the desired team culture. "I think we're off to a really positive start and that means a lot. We have really good energy, everyone is very focused and we'd like to keep that moving forward throughout the rest of preseason."