SAN ANTONIO — JUCO transfer midfielder Aaliyaiah Durden and freshman forward Brooklyn Bailey scored their first NCAA goals of their careers, lifting UTSA soccer over St. Mary’s University 3-0 on Thursday at Park West Athletics Complex.
After posting zeros on the scoreboard for the opening two games of the season, the Roadrunners (1-1-1) exploded with three goals in the team’s matchup against the cross-town rival. While Durden and Bailey provided the ‘Runners with a comfortable lead, the final run came courtesy of the Rattlers themselves — an own goal.
“It’s always nice to get the first [win],” coach Derek Pittman said after the game. “We knew this game was going to be vastly different than the last three games. Tonight, it was an opportunity for us to enjoy more of the ball. I think there were definitely moments where we moved the ball. We created some good chances. We just weren’t as ruthless as I would have liked us to be. That’s something we can continue to build on.”
Just past the 30-minute mark, freshman forward Ava Jackson served a free kick towards the center of the Rattlers’ penalty where Durden drove in the ball with her head for the Roadrunners’ first goal of the season.
“Massive credit to [Jackson] it was a great ball in. I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” Durden said of her score. “Everyody on the sidelines ramped up their energy so I definitely enjoyed the moment.”
Bailey’s goal would come in the 66th minute with some help from freshman forward Kamryn Watson. The Baton Rouge native ushered the ball down the right side of the pitch before dishing it to Bailey, tapping it just past the outstretched arms of St. Mary’s goalkeeper Haley Faucette.
“I ended up falling on the ground but getting back up and celebrating with my teammates it was really good,” Bailey said of her first goal. “I saw it coming up and I had a defender below me so I was just trying to get over her and make sure the header went down. I’m just glad it went where I wanted it to go, the ball was placed perfectly by [Watson].”
Being held scoreless through two matches might have weighed on the ‘Runners if not for the words of Pittman, who kept the team’s spirits up through the shaky start to the season.
“He told us we have a lot of games left. We shouldn’t be sad about what happened, but we shouldn’t be satisfied either. We have so many chances to go out there and score,” Bailey said of her coach’s message to the team.
UTSA took 21 shots to St. Mary’s six, as well as holding a 10 to two shot on goal advantage. Junior goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler recorded her second shut out of the season, picking up two saves in the process.
The Roadrunners will next face Lamar University at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Park West Athletics Complex.
