SAN ANTONIO — Through 80 minutes of play, UTSA soccer was heading towards its first loss in American Conference play. However, a foul from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte midfielder Grace Keighley in the 89th minute awarded the Roadrunners a crucial late-game penalty kick.
Senior midfielder Zoë May had her initial shot blocked before connecting with the net on the rebound, giving UTSA a 1-1 draw against the 49ers on Sunday at Park West Athletics Complex.
Charlotte (5-4-1, 1-1-1 AC) outpaced the Roadrunners (6-2-3, 2-0-3 AC) in the first half, taking four more shots, three more corners and snatching an early 1-0 lead. Coach Derek Pittman felt his team wasn’t as sharp as they could have been in the opening half, but an “intense” halftime speech revitalized them. The ‘Runners got their opportunity when they needed it; May stepped up and delivered.
“If anyone is willing to shoulder that responsibility and that role as a captain, as a leader — someone that wants to be remembered for stepping up in critical moments, it’s Zoë May,” Pittman said after the game. “I thought she’s done a phenomenal job of being willing to do that. She can take pens; she wants those big moments. Although the keeper made a great save on the initial shot, for her to stick with it and bury the rebound is resilient within itself.”
The 49ers struck first in the 29th minute off a goal from forward Megan Bradley. Keighley launched the ball to Bradley from around midfield, where Bradley snuck a shot in between UTSA senior defenders Kameron Kloza and Rylee Miller. The ball slipped past junior goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler for the score.
For the next 40 minutes, both teams played tough, physical defense. Emotions ran high as both teams picked up a combined 27 fouls and four yellow cards in the final 10 minutes.
The fouls proved costly for Charlotte as it provided UTSA the opportunity to tie the game. May — who is no stranger to clutch penalty kicks — rose to the occasion once again.
“I practice penalty kicks. I believe in myself. So, I just really focus on what I have to do and picture it, then follow through and pass it into the net,” May said of her mentality regarding late-game penalty kicks.
Kloza led in shots with four, while May led in shots on goal with two. Kessler registered five or more saves for the fifth time in 12 games, edging out 49ers goalkeeper Harlee Head by one. UTSA outshot Charlotte 16 to 12 despite the 49ers holding a four shot advantage at the half.
UTSA will head to Houston to take on third place Rice University at 6 p.m. Thursday at Holloway Field.
