Noelle Sather’s return to Baylor has already turned into a quick reward for the Bears.
The Big 12 named the Baylor soccer standout its Offensive Player of the Week after she scored in each of her first two matches back from the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland with the Canadian national team. Both goals came on her only shots on goal.
Sather had missed seven matches before getting back into the lineup in green and gold. Her first goal after returning proved to be the winner against the Cowgirls on Thursday night, when she drilled a low shot into the bottom corner from five yards above the penalty arc in the 56th minute.
She followed that up by giving Baylor the opening goal against the Bearcats in the 37th minute. On that play, she tracked down the rebound after Cincinnati’s keeper punched away an Olivia Hess corner kick, then finished from nine yards out into the far top corner.
It is the first conference weekly honor of Sather’s career. For Baylor, it marks the 75th all-time weekly conference nod and the 23rd offensive-specific award since the Big 12 added that category before the 2000 season.
The conference also recognized Kansas’ Livvy Moore as Defensive Player of the Week, Kansas’ Sophia Dawe as Goalkeeper of the Week and BYU’s Anna Neff as Freshman of the Week.
Baylor returns to league play Friday night against Kansas at Betty Lou Mays Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
CT, and the match will feature the annual Gold Rush and Vamos Osos Hispanic heritage celebrations. Admission is free, and gold shirts will be available while supplies last.
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Arizona State Faces A Real Test Against Baylors Biggest Strength
Baylor heads into its road game at Arizona State with the kind of matchup that can tilt early if the defense wins at the line of scrimmage. The Bears are coming off a win over Colorado, and this trip offers another chance to lean on what has been their biggest strength, especially against an ASU passing attack led by Cutter Boley, whose numbers have made him one of the more difficult quarterbacks to slow down this season.
On the other side, Baylor's offense also has its own questions to sort through, with Lagway still limited as a runner after injury. Last season's game against Arizona State is part of the backdrop here, but this one feels different because the pressure points are clearer: Baylor needs its defensive front to bother Boley and its offense to do enough without leaning on Lagway's legs the way it might prefer. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Faces Its First Real Test In A Big 12 Road Stage
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Baylors defense has been a point of emphasis, especially for the pressure it can create and the depth it has shown through the first month. With both coaches already weighing in on the matchup and recent performances, the trip to Arizona figures to test how well the Bears can handle a road stage that tends to reveal more than a home date ever does. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Soccer Just Got A National Boost Fans Will Love
Azul Alvarez is getting national attention for the work she has already put in for Baylor this season. The Bears goalkeeper was named to the 2026 Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List, a nod that reflects how steady she has been through the teams first 11 matches. She has played every minute of those games and has given Baylor a reliable last line of defense while the season has taken shape.
Alvarezs numbers help explain why she landed there, with 35 saves and a .761 save percentage so far. The Hermann Trophy goes to the top collegiate soccer player in the country, so being on the midseason list puts her in a bigger conversation as Baylor pushes deeper into the year and tries to keep her name in it. [Read more 🡒]