Sweet 16 at 30

An incredible Baylor soccer season came to an end in the NCAA Tournament Round of 16 as the Bears fell to Ohio State 2-1 in double overtime.

In her fourth year leading the Bears, Head Coach Michelle Lenard guided the squad to finish the year 14-5-4 overall, 7-3-1 in Big 12 play, and back in the Sweet 16 for the first time since back-to-back runs in 2017-18. 

“I’m proud of the fight in this team,” Lenard said. “I’m proud of the resilience. I’m most proud of what this group of seniors has built, because we’re a completely different program than we were four years ago. They completely changed the style of play for this program and the image on the outside. And then, to get back to this point and be in it right up until the very end is something that we’re all very proud of them for.”

Lenard was rewarded in the days after the season wrapped with a contract extension. 

Baylor’s regular season included wins over then-No. 14 Kansas, No. 15 Texas Tech and No. 17 Mississippi State, plus a 1-0 victory against No. 15 Wisconsin in the NCAA’s second round. The Bears’ defense was especially stingy, shutting out opponents 12 times in Baylor’s 23 games.

Only six Baylor teams in the program’s 30 years have ever finished with more wins, and only two (2017-18, when the Bears reached the Elite Eight) have ever advanced farther than this year’s squad.

30 Years of Passion and Purpose

Two prominent Baylor soccer alumni reflect on the impact of the program. Baylor soccer celebrated the program’s 30th season in 2025. 

“When I think of my time with Baylor Soccer, I am just filled with gratitude. It was an experience that was second to none that you don’t necessarily realize in the moment, but reflecting back it’s just so special. The relationships that I not only had with my teammates but with staff and the University as a whole shaped who I am today, and it was just such a transformative experience that I am forever grateful for and I will forever be proud to be a Baylor Bear.” 

- Jennifer Wandt, GK (2017-21)  

 “It was a call from God for me to go to Baylor, and I am just thankful to Him for letting me be part of Baylor. It’s just great to know that all the time that I had at Baylor, I was a better person and learning to know more about God, and even how to play soccer and glorify and honor God in every single way. In every game, every single play, every single pass, tackle, shooting, whatever — I know I was serving God.”  

- Aline De Lima, MF (2016-18)