As the Spring sun settles over the pitch in Odessa, there is a different energy surrounding the UT Permian Basin women's soccer team. 

For Head Coach Garrett Kull, year two does not just bring familiarity – it brings belief. After the first season spent building from the ground up, this Spring marks a shift. The roster is deeper, the culture is established, and the expectations are rising. 

"This Spring is vastly different," Coach Kull said. "Last Spring, we struggled due to a lack of players. By having a large core group returning, including a couple of starters, the staff is getting a good look at what we can accomplish as a team next season." 
That difference is showing up in every aspect of the program. A year ago, the focus was simple: build something sustainable, establish standards and create an identity. 

Now, the Falcons are evolving. 

"Last year was more about establishing our culture and identity," Kull explained. "This Spring is much more focused on growth – both individually and as a team." 

With starters returning and a more complete roster, the coaching staff has been able to dig deeper, experiment tactically, refine roles, and push players to expand their games. Just as importantly, they are learning how to maximize the Spring season itself, using it as a launching point for the Fall. 

One of the biggest takeaways from Kull's first season came from navigating the demands of the Lone Star Conference.
 
"It is one thing to observe the league from the outside, but it is completely different when you are preparing week to week for how unique each team can be in this conference," said Coach Kull. "Now with that knowledge, we can adjust our tactical approach."
 
That knowledge, paired with a strong culture, has allowed the Falcons to strike a balance – staying true to who they are while elevating their standard. 

When Coach Kull was asked to describe the identity, he is building the answer way beyond tactics. 

"It is definitely unique. I genuinely believe we have established an identity that supports high achievers and strong relationships," said Coach Kull. "There has been a lot of growth within this group, and there has also been a shift in mindset. While the experiences and moments together matter most, this team is striving for more." 

That identity is rooted in more than just performance. It is about mindset. 

"This group wants to be coached, they want to be pushed, and they believe they are capable of achieving more," said Coach Kull. "There is a real sense of grit and humility within the team that drives them to get the job done at the highest level possible." 

While UTPB showed defensive strength last Fall, Spring has been about adding another dimension. 

"As a group, we are really focused on developing our attacking identity. We showed great defensive strength last Fall, so now we want to add more firepower to our game moving forward," said Coach Kull. "We do not believe we will stray too much from how we played last Fall, but you cannot win matches without scoring." 

At the same time, the staff is prioritizing chemistry and trust, ensuring players understand both their freedom and responsibility within the system. 

"Much of our focus has been on continuing to build chemistry on the field and the trust required to play within our system," said Coach Kull. "We are trying to help players recognize the freedom they have to impact the game and understand how that fits into what we want to accomplish as a team." 

GROWTH IS NOT LIMITED TO TACTICS 
In the weight room, players are learning how to respond in a challenging environment where failure is part of the process of improvement.  

"We are watching that confidence begin to grow with the success they are seeing there alone," Kull said.  

On the field, the focus is on refining technical details – first touch, ball striking, and 1-v-1 ability – while continuing to perfect the little things as a team.  

"We have several players who are on the verge of making significant contributions next Fall, so it is important that they are mentally, physically, and tactically ready each day," said Kull. 

Across the roster the coaching staff has seen a lot of success from many players on the team and there has been so much positive development that it is hard single out just one player without acknowledging the progress others are making as well. 

"Some who I think have taken a considerable step are Hadley Kelly, Alexia Hernandez in goal, with great support from Valeria Delgado, and several other players who had supporting roles last Fall – such as Haylee Huttenhow, Jayden Murgia, and Alexis Saucedo – have all taken meaningful steps forward," Coach Kull said. 

With position battles across the field, every training session carries a competitive edge and it is not forced. That internal competition is raising the level of play – and preparing the Falcons for the physical and mental demands of a full season. 

"I am proud that we do not have to create artificial incentives for competition – it is simply part of this team's mentality," said Coach Kull. "When we recruit, we do not just look at how a player will help us next Fall – we look at how they will help us over the next three or four years. Now we are seeing those players go through the offseason program and begin closing that gap. I have been thoroughly impressed with how this team has continued to develop." 

As the program grows, so does its leadership. Coach Kull emphasizes that leadership is not limited to a select few – it is something anyone can demonstrate.  

I have had several players come into the office asking how they can lead better, how they can communicate more effectively, and how they can help maintain the standards we have set," said Coach Kull. "That level of investment is very encouraging." 

Still, several players have emerged as key voices. 

"Cassandra Ramirez continues to play a big role in bringing the team together. Hadley Kelly has really found her voice and is confident holding others accountable," said Coach Kull. "We also have incredible work ethic from players like Mikaela Corral and Maria Tarrago. Allyson Reed and Ella Bertram continue to set a high standard during training, and Valeria Delgado has shown tremendous commitment to the team." 

With the team continuing to improve and grow during Spring, the coaching staff can push the team further. 

"Year one was focused on laying a solid foundation. Now, heading into year two, we can start shaping the structure around that foundation," Coach Kull said. "We have moved from being a new team in a new era to a more established group with a developing identity." 
Accountability remains central to that process and is at the forefront of the team's daily operations. 

"Accountability is always a challenge, and I think any coach would be presenting a false narrative if they said it was not," said Coach Kull. "It is human nature to sometimes become more understanding or flexible, but ultimately everyone has to be held to the same standards." 

As the Spring season progresses, the focus is not on wins or losses. Instead, it is about mindset. 

"I hope that by the end of the Spring our team can say they fully embraced the idea that growth is a mindset," said Coach Kull. "If we commit to getting better every day, trying new things, and responding positively even when we do not see immediate success, then we will have had a successful Spring." 

With a strong returning core and an incoming freshman class expected to make an immediate impact, the future is bright for UTPB soccer. 

"It is hard not to be excited when you get to coach a group like this. I genuinely do not have a bad day interacting with this team," said Coach Kull. "There are days when we may not execute at the level we expect or when we face challenges off the field, but those moments are few and far between." 

And for Falcon fans, the message is simple: 

"Since arriving here, the UTPB and Midland-Odessa communities have done nothing but embrace my family, this program, and me personally," said Coach Kull. "Our goal is to build a program that this community can be proud of for years to come. We have an extraordinary group of young women who are going to accomplish great things here at UTPB. If you haven't had the chance to see us play yet, we would love for you to come out and support the team." 

The program is no longer about starting from scratch. It is about building something that lasts. 

The Falcons will wrap up the Spring with four matches, with their first game slated for Saturday, April 4, on the road at Wayland Baptist University. Following the conclusion of that match, the Falcons will travel to Abilene, Texas, for two matches on April 11 and will wrap things up on April 18 with matches against UTEP and Lubbock Christian University.