Baylor Soccer is two games into its 2026 spring exhibition slate, and things are going well for Michelle Lenard’s “reload”. The majority of the freshman class enrolled early, four transfers have completed their move, and all are well on their way integrating with the team.
The Bears walloped Navarro College in the spring opener back on March 5th; both the scoreboard operator and I lost count, but when I had to leave after 60 minutes of play, the Bears were up at least 10-0. Then, last Saturday, Baylor defeated the 2025 American Conference tournament champions 3-0. After the UTSA game, Michelle Lenard took some time to chat with me about her team.
So here is what stood out to me from the spring games against Navarro and UTSA:
⇒ Get ready to learn Grace White’s name. This freshman is the real deal, scoring a hat trick in both games. Lenard is most concerned about keeping White healthy because the difference that the freshman can make in the fall looks clear. White has the killer instinct that we saw in Ashley Merrill, the goal-scoring knack of Tyler Isgrig, and will put her body on the line to get to the ball first like Kai Hayes. Not that any of those players didn’t have some degree of each quality, but White could be a unique combination of the three that Baylor has had yet under Michelle Lenard. The simplest way I can put it is that White has the game IQ, instincts, ability and power of will to capitalize on the great work-rate of her teammates.
⇒ Speaking of those high work rate teammates, forwards Callie Conrad and Theresa McCullough look to be very settled in their roles. The pair of rising seniors know the jobs they have to do on the field, and they know how best to get those jobs done with their skill sets.
⇒ Add “the machine” Natalie Vatter and Lauren Omholt at outside back, and the levels of pace and effort that the Bears can push forward with are exciting to think about. Omholt’s move back from forward is a great move in my eyes, given the output of Grace White. The outside backs are important in almost every aspect of the way this team wants to play, and Omholt never seems to hold back on effort when she’s on the field. The only thing better than one machine at outside back is two machines at outside back right?
⇒ Omholt’s move to the back line both raises questions and offers an answer about how Coach Lenard wants to reload her defense that is losing two center backs, an outside back, and its defensive midfielder. Duke transfer Taylor Evans is likely a one-for-one replacement for Kai Hayes in the No. 6 role. Their games appear similar, they both embrace the physicality of the game, they both transferred from ACC schools, and they both wear the No. 8 in green and gold.
⇒ At center back, rising sophomore Emerson Garcia is a leading candidate for a starting spot. Michelle Lenard has not held back on her praise of the defender through her first year in Waco. Rising senior Nyela Calnek, the former Vanderbilt transfer, is a leader for the other center back spot. Oklahoma transfer Chloe Adams and Santa Clara transfer Kiera Martin are other candidates who have earned game time this spring, but I may have missed others rotating in.
⇒ Lenard will likely look for one or two more defensive options in the transfer portal after the spring, with the defense being the biggest question mark on the team. With the Bears’ Sweet Sixteen appearance, the bar has been raised for the program, and Lenard fully intends to reload rather than rebuild.
⇒ Don’t forget that the Bears’ midfield has really high-quality, proven players in rising sophomore Olivia Hess and rising senior Aryanna Jimison, as well as Azul Alvarez in goal. Hess has been steady as ever this spring, and Jimison scored a great direct free kick goal against Navarro as I was leaving that game.
Baylor is set to play Big 12 rival TCU on Friday at 7:30 p.m., and I highly encourage any curious Baylor fans to attend. The Frogs are coming off a Women’s College Cup appearance (Final Four) and will be a great measuring stick for where these Bears are at. The weather should be lovely with a forecasted high temperature of 86 degrees.
With the defensive questions, this Baylor team may need to find ways to win more games 4-3 next season, compared to the many 2-0, 1-0 or 2-1 wins of last season. That should mean more exciting games for those who don’t necessarily appreciate the excruciating suspense of low-scoring affairs.
So again, this Friday at 7:30 p.m., Baylor vs. TCU at Betty Lou Mayes in Waco. Admission is free!
