UTSA conquered St. Mary’s University 3-1 during their final home exhibition on Sunday at the Park West Athletics Complex.
The Roadrunners got off to a slow start, struggling against the Rattlers defense. The game began to turn around when senior defender Zoe May stepped up and scored the game’s first point, giving UTSA an edge. The ‘Runners came alive after the first period, displaying an aggressive style that brought them closer to their opponents goal while making multiple shot attempts throughout the rest of the game.
“It’s a part of our DNA,” coach Derek Pittman said about the aggression shown during the game. “We talk a lot about competitive toughness and overall physicality. It’s a non- negotiable on our side. We have to be able to perform at that level and bring every game, regardless of what the quality might be. It is a mentality and a championship mindset that we need to have everyday.”
With three minutes left in the first period, May scored the first point of the game while inside St. Mary’s goal box, gaining the advantage from a distracted Rattlers goalkeeper.
“I thought we started a little bit slow,” Pittman said of the game. “St. Mary’s had us a little bit on the back foot, but we started to settle in halfway through the first half, and when a few players came off the bench, I thought it was coming. Set pieces can change games, and it was a great service by Leah and a great, brave, courageous header by Zoe.”
In the first five minutes of the second period, senior forward Izzy Lane extended the Roadrunners lead to 2-0 after stealing the ball away from the Rattlers. After a failed shot attempt on junior goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler, the ‘Runners took the ball down the pitch to take control of the game.
Lane picked up UTSA’s third point off a set piece. Lane put the ball into motion from St. Mary’s corner, giving May the opportunity to head the ball into the goal. Seconds after, a foul on UTSA resulted in the Rattlers earning a penalty kick that scored their first and only point of the game.
There were a handful of scoring attempts from both teams in the first period though most proved unprosperous. Kessler warded off the Rattlers’ early efforts, and junior forward Lulie MacFarlane came close to scoring the first point of the game. However, the ball bounced off the goalpost, resulting in St. Mary’s taking possession of the ball.
“We played some quality soccer, created quality chances and showed a bit of competitive toughness today that we hadn’t in the last few matches,” coach Derek Pittman said. “Really pleased with the steps we took forward, and now, we have two weeks to prepare for a really difficult game against the University of Texas.”
UTSA soccer will hold its Alumni Game at 1 p.m. Saturday at Park West Athletics Complex.
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