The UTSA Roadrunner soccer team scratched and clawed their way to victory this past weekend when they defeated the Marshall Thundering Herd 3-2 in overtime. The win gave the ‘Runners their first Conference USA (C-USA) victory, moving to 5-6-1 in the season, 1-4-0 in conference play.
For the weekend series, fans saw the ‘Runners travel to Florida Atlantic University on Oct. 11, and then to Marshall on Oct. 13. The ‘Runners would split the series with a 2-1 defeat to the FAU Owls and a 3-2 victory against Marshall.
The game against the Owls proved to be a possession-based game. The lone goal for the ‘Runners in the 71st minute when resident Floridian, Lexi Bolton, received a ball from Sarina Russ, took on multiple Owl defenders and fired a shot that ricocheted off the left post and into the back of the net.
The Owls would tie the game in the 80th minute after Carolynn Wotring crossed the ball into the box to Mary O’Hara who slotted it past the ‘Runner goalkeeper for the goal. A mere minute later, the Owls would take the lead through a header by Pernille Velta after a cross from Sammy Vitols.
The ‘Runners then traveled to Hunnington, West Virginia to take on the Marshall Thundering Herd. In the second minute Marshall took the lead very early. A shot by Marah Abu-Tayeh was originally saved by Schneider, but the rebound fell to the feet of Farah Abu-Tayeh who put the Herd in the lead. Ellis Patterson would tie the game in the fourth minute of play for the ‘Runners after Nicole Galan played the ball to Patterson, who took on a few defenders and fired a rocket of a shot that flew past the keeper and into the corner of the net.
In the 89th minute, Patterson provided late heroics as she received a ball from Isa Hernandez and fired a shot at the keeper that was tipped but eventually trickled into the back of the net for a 2-1 ‘Runners lead. An issue that has plagued the ‘Runners as of late—closing out games—showed its face yet again this season.
With 20 seconds left in regulation, the Thundering Herd managed to score and tie the game back at two apiece; however, extra time would play in the ‘Runners favor, when in the 93rd minute Patterson took a shot that was eventually saved by the keeper but found the feet of a wide-open Abby Kassal who calmly put it away and gave the ‘Runners a much-needed victory after a string of tough but very close losses.
The ‘Runners return to Park West this week to close out the final two home games of the season. On Thursday night, Oct. 17, they will take on the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles, and on Sunday afternoon, they honor the seniors of the team when they take on the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. Come out and support your fellow ‘Runners!
