Following a three-year tournament drought, UTSA soccer defeated the University of Alabama at Birmingham 2-1 on Monday at the Premier Sports Campus to advance to the American Conference tournament semifinal.
After finishing the regular season 1-3 in their last four conference matchups, the Roadrunners (8-5-5, 4-3-3 AC) snuck into the American tournament as the No. 5 seed. Junior forward Michelle Polo gave UTSA an early advantage before sophomore defender Aaliyaiah Durden put the team comfortably above the Blazers (7-6-6, 4-3-3 AC). Despite Alabama-Birmingham drilling a late-game goal, the ‘Runners survived and advanced.
“I’m so proud of our team tonight. To get our first win in the American Conference Tournament is another historic moment for this program,” coach Derek Pittman said after the game. “The players showed extreme character, togetherness, toughness and trust in the plan against a good UAB side. We’ve continued to grow throughout the season, and tonight was another massive step forward. We’ll enjoy this one, then get ready for the next challenge in the semifinal.”
UTSA’s first goal came as a result of a team effort. Redshirt freshman Ava Jackson slid the ball in the direction of Polo, and the early graduate battled with a Blazer defender before slipping a shot past Alabama-Brimingham goalkeeper Leah Parsons.
The Roadrunners added to their lead in the 57th minute, with freshman midfielder Leah Varelah setting up Durden for the score. Durden shot out of a cannon into the Blazers’ goal area, and finished the play with her head.
Despite the sizable deficit, Alabama-Birmingham refused to go down without a fight. Blazers forward Lailah Stewart received the ball off an assist from Avery Berryman and buried her shot into the bottom-right corner of the net to cut her team’s deficit down to just one point in the 79th minute.
The late goal wasn’t enough of a spark for the Blazers, and their season came to an early end at the hands of the lower-seeded Roadrunners.
UTSA led in shots 16 to 12, as well as shots on goal nine to five. Alabama-Birmingham led in saves seven to four while leading in corners nine to eight. Individually, Varela and Blazers defender Ava Mills tied for the lead in shots with three apiece.
UTSA advances to face the No.1 seed University of Memphis Tigers at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Premier Sports Campus.
