EmJ Cox, a fifth-year defender, hadn’t scored since 2022. During Texas soccer’s second home game against Arizona on Thursday night, that changed.
Cox headed the ball into the net with a help from sophomore forward Amalia Villarreal to give the Longhorns, who had been behind 0-1 since the opening minute of play, a crucial goal.
With the possible exception of being a rookie, I believe this is the most eager I’ve ever been to score, Cox said. However, it seemed to take a while to happen.
Even though the Longhorns lost the game 1-1, Cox had a successful evening. Before sustaining a season-ending knee injury in 2024, the 2022 Big 12 Conference Defensive Player of the Year earned just two starts and was redshirted in 2023 to maintain her eligibility.
According to Cox, the road has been extremely challenging but also extremely honed. Although I feel like I’ve changed as a player, I’ve remained the same throughout my life. That felt like it unlocked that 2022 EmJ, so it was a pretty enjoyable moment.
To help her manage her load, the coaching staff asked Cox to leave the field after she scored her goal. Head coach Ange Kelly embraced her as she entered the sidelines.
Kelly stated, “It’s amazing to see your players succeed, and then when they’re just such wonderful people, and all the adversity she’s been through.” I would have always handed it to EmJ Cox if you had to tell me, Coach, that you would only score one goal tonight.
On the sidelines, Cox then proceeded along the line of her teammates, who all embraced her.
Not only is she the oldest, but she also tries to get to know everyone, which is why Kelly referred to her as the group’s mother.
It might have been simple for Cox to split off for her final year because Texas soccer lost 13 seniors last year, all of whom were in her class or the year before. However, Cox chooses to spend her days off with the group, which consists of ten freshman.
“I’ve been blown away by how deep my friendships are with these girls going into this year,” Cox said. I consider them to be my little sisters. Being able to celebrate with them and witness their excitement for me has been incredibly wonderful and thrilling.
However, the night was not entirely uneventful.
Cameron Valladares, a senior at Arizona State, took a shot on goal that bounced off the leg of a Texas defender as the field began to lightly rain. Mateya Dessieux, the goalie for Texas, tried to punch the ball out, but it was too late.
For Texas, it was a tale of two halves. The team appeared agitated after the goal and was unable to maintain possession of the ball. At the beginning of the second half, they were a totally different squad, taking 14 shots as opposed to just three in the first half.
Kelly intends to keep things easy going forward when they play Houston away on August 24.
“Put the ball in the net,” Kelly instructed. In the second half, we produced numerous excellent opportunities, and now we simply need to bury them.
