UTSA soccer and Abilene Christian ended its Sunday game in a 1-1 draw. This marks the fourth time the two schools have faced each other.
UTSA, throughout the beginning of the game, were able to make multiple attempts at the Wildcats goal, though most were off target. The Roadrunners (6-3-1, 1-1 AAC) outshot the Wildcats (2-2-6) 23-9, with senior defender Sasjah Dade leading the way with five shot attempts.
“It comes down to how we prepare. [I think] we were just a little bit tired from our last match,” sophomore forward Tyler Coker said. “Coming together as a team and realizing if one of us is tired, other people have to step up and take over that role so we finish on target.”
The first half of the game was pretty rough and scrappy. UTSA had great fake outs on Abilene Chirstian as they fought to remain in control of the ball. The ‘Runners defense and offense showed a lot of grit when it came to keeping the ball away and stealing it from the Wildcats. UTSA spent 71% of the game attacking the Abilene Christian’s third.
Roadrunners’ sophomore forward Lulie McFarlane scored 17 minutes into the game after stealing the ball from Wildcats’ defender McCarly Holloman as she was trying to deflect the ball from her own goal.
Not long after, Wildcats’ forward Peyton Hill scored on UTSA after sophomore goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler missed the block. The second half saw UTSA narrowly miss a goal after a shot attempt from Coker was deflected by the opposing goalkeeper.
“At this point in time where we are 10, 11, 12 games into the season with exhibitions we should be clicking on all cylinders,” coach Derek Pittman said.
“It was disappointing today to be honest, we talked about it all week long,” Pittman said after their loss.
UTSA will play the University of Memphis at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mike Rose Soccer Complex.
