Emily Anderson: UT Women’s Soccer

College football season officially starts tonight, though for me it doesn’t really start until my Texas Longhorns take the field on Saturday against Arkansas St.

However, football isn’t the only sport kicking off at Texas this weekend. The 7th ranked Longhorn women’s soccer teams starts their season on Friday at home against Texas Christian University (TCU).

And one of this year’s stars is a second year player (who played at our neighborhood high school [Westlake High School]) — Emily Anderson:

After arriving from Westlake High School as a non-scholarship player, Anderson appeared in 24 of last season’s 25 games, three as a starter.

She scored three goals for a team that finished 18-4-3, winning the Big 12 tournament and advancing to the third round of the NCAAs.

“I didn’t really have any idea I could play at this level,” said Anderson, who said she received no scholarship offers in high school.

Anderson, having proven that she can play, will be on partial scholarship when the ninth-ranked Longhorns open their season Friday against Texas Christian at Myers Stadium.

“She came out of nowhere,” said Stephanie Logterman, the junior defender from Westwood High. “She definitely surprised me.”

Chris Petrucelli, a head coach with 17 years experience at Notre Dame and Texas, does not usually expect much from walk-ons.

But Anderson scored the go-ahead goal late in the first half during a 2-1 victory against Colorado last season.

“Typically, you have only one or two on your team, and they aren’t getting a lot of playing time,” said Petrucelli, who begins his ninth season at Texas. “Emily can come in and score goals. She has had the most impact of any walk-on I’ve had.”

Petrucelli said Anderson is a good athlete blessed with size (5 feet, 10 inches), strength and speed. Her work ethic is admirable, Petrucelli said.

I think I’ll try to head over and watch some soccer on Friday evening.