Baires wins 2nd UAC Player of the Week award, Tarleton State Soccer’s 4th in 5 weeks

STEPHENVILLE — Tarleton State Soccer’s Jessica Baires earned her second UAC Player of the Week honor on Monday, and the Texans’ fourth in five weeks.

The United Athletic Conference announced that midfielder/forward Baires has been named the UAC Player of the Week for matches played Sept. 28-Oct. 4. Baires was also the UAC Player of the Week on Sept. 14. Tarleton State’s Avery Mendez (Sept. 8) and Zahra Friess (Sept. 21) have helped make this a regular occurrence.

Baires scored two goals in Tarleton State’s lone match on the week, a 3-3 Tarleton State road draw at Little Rock on Sunday. Baires had the most goals scored across all UAC players, plus had the most points across the UAC. Baires has totaled 16 points over the last six matches, averaging 2.7 points per match over the span, with a point in each match. She has recorded five goals and six assists over the last six matches. Baires now has the tied-most goals on the team this season with five.

Across the UAC on the season, Baires is No. 1 in points (17), No. 1 in assists (seven), tied-first in goals (five), No. 5 in shots on goal (13) and No. 10 in shots (22).

Also recognized by the conference on Monday were Abilene Christian’s Carolyne Young (UAC Defensive Player of the Week) and Central Arkansas’ Anna Kathryn Harrell (UAC Goalkeeper of the Week).

2026 Tarleton State Soccer UAC Player of the Week Awards:
Sept. 8, Player of the Week – Avery Mendez
Sept. 14, Player of the Week – Jessica Baires
Sept. 21, Player of the Week – Zahra Friess
Oct. 5, Player of the Week – Jessica Baires