Mya Brandon announced herself in SEC soccer with a goal and an assist in Texas's 2-2 draw with Tennessee — and the conference noticed. The sophomore was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday, becoming just the second Longhorn to earn that recognition in 2026.
The Canton, Michigan native scored her first goal in burnt orange, which also happened to be Texas's first point in SEC play under head coach Margueritte Bates. She then set up Ashlyn Anderson's go-ahead strike. Tennessee clawed back for the draw, but Brandon's individual contribution was impossible to ignore.
Why this matters beyond one week's award
A first goal tends to unlock a player. Brandon had clearly settled into the program before this match, but there's a psychological shift that comes with finding the net — especially in conference play, in a match this visible. If she carries that confidence forward, Texas's attack gets a meaningful dimension it didn't have at the start of the season.
The draw with Tennessee was a dropped two points on paper, but Texas came away with evidence that their offense can compete at SEC level. Bates will want to see that translated into results, not just individual highlights. A 2-2 draw won't move the needle in the standings.
Still, for Brandon personally, this is a real marker. Sophomore season, first SEC appearance, first goal, first weekly award. The building blocks are there.
