AUSTIN, Texas – After extending its program-best undefeated start to 8-0, Texas soccer continued its upward trajectory in three of the four major soccer polls this week as the Longhorns rose to No. 17 in the United Soccer Coaches, No. 21 in the Soccer America and No. 22 in the Top Drawer Soccer rankings, while falling four slots to No. 20 in the HERO Sports power listing (tops in the Big 12 Conference).

At a lofty No. 3 in the initial release of the NCAA's Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), the Burnt Orange & White currently join Tennessee (9-0) as the only unbeaten and untied teams left in all of NCAA Division I women's soccer. The Longhorns boast a higher opponent winning percentage than the Lady Volunteers, however, with their foes combining for a .569 mark (30-22-6) compared to Tennessee's .469 (29-33-2).

Last Friday, Texas improved to 8-0 to open the season for the first time in program history by fighting off a tough challenge from in-state foe UTRGV, 1-0 (OT). The Longhorns out-shot the Vaqueros in the match by a commanding total of 28-5 and finally located the back of the net at 97:13 as sophomore forward Cyera Hintzen recorded her team-leading third match-winning goal of the campaign from eight yards out.

With an unbeaten non-conference slate in the rearview mirror for the first time ever, UT now moves on into Big 12 Conference action this weekend at Mike A. Myers Stadium. The Longhorns open league play on Fri., Sept. 22, by hosting Iowa State at 7 p.m. CT before welcoming in 2016 NCAA national runner-up and No. 5-ranked West Virginia on Sun., Sept. 24, at 1 p.m. CT.