Photo by: Ethan Mito/Texas A&M Athletics
Aggies Add Star Defender for 2026 Campaign
Mar 17, 2026 | Soccer
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION – The Texas A&M soccer team bolstered the back line with the addition of standout defender Blake Hughes for the 2026 campaign, head coach Bobby Shuttleworth announced Tuesday.
"We're excited to welcome Blake to the Texas A&M family," Shuttleworth said. "Bake brings a relentless drive to improve and a mindset focused on becoming great every single day. Her experience competing in the A-League has helped shape her into a tough, confident defender who thrives at a high level.
"Blake plays with aggressiveness. She's physical, brave and sets a tone defensively. She's composed in possession and can use her athleticism to solve pressure individually. We're thrilled to add a competitor with her ambition, experience and drive to improve."
Hughes currently stars with the Central Coast Mariners in the Ninja A-League, the top division of women's soccer in Australia. She helped the Mariners claim the A-League Grand Final in 2025. In total, Hughes has appeared in 12 contests for Central Coast, including four times during the current campaign.
A native of Denver, Hughes has lived in Australia during her prep years. She recently graduated from Mosman High School in Sydney while playing for Central Coast. She represented New South Wales at the Australian All Schools Football Championships in 2024, helping the squad win all five matches. She earned a spot on the Australian All Schools team. That year she also helped Northern Tigers FC win the Sapphire Cup, determining the best club in New South Wales.
"We're excited to welcome Blake to the Texas A&M family," Shuttleworth said. "Bake brings a relentless drive to improve and a mindset focused on becoming great every single day. Her experience competing in the A-League has helped shape her into a tough, confident defender who thrives at a high level.
"Blake plays with aggressiveness. She's physical, brave and sets a tone defensively. She's composed in possession and can use her athleticism to solve pressure individually. We're thrilled to add a competitor with her ambition, experience and drive to improve."
Hughes currently stars with the Central Coast Mariners in the Ninja A-League, the top division of women's soccer in Australia. She helped the Mariners claim the A-League Grand Final in 2025. In total, Hughes has appeared in 12 contests for Central Coast, including four times during the current campaign.
A native of Denver, Hughes has lived in Australia during her prep years. She recently graduated from Mosman High School in Sydney while playing for Central Coast. She represented New South Wales at the Australian All Schools Football Championships in 2024, helping the squad win all five matches. She earned a spot on the Australian All Schools team. That year she also helped Northern Tigers FC win the Sapphire Cup, determining the best club in New South Wales.
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