The UTSA soccer team suffered a heartbreaking loss on Sunday, Aug. 3 after falling in overtime to the Sam Houston State Bearkats, 2-1.
The closely contested match was the first of the season for the Roadrunners (0-1), who were coming off of back-to-back exhibition match losses heading into the match against the Bearkats.
“We’re young, and those that are returning are inexperienced,” explained Head Coach Greg Sheen. “I think with any loss, there’s an opportunity to learn. We’ll hit the film room and the practice field on Tuesday and try to pick up something from this, learn from this, and make sure we play a full 90 minutes next time.”
The Roadrunners played aggressively in the beginning of the match. In the 12th minute of the first period, UTSA senior Lauren Hodgdon chipped in a goal off a deflection in the box. Fellow senior Sabrina Gonzalez was credited with the assist.
“(The Bearkats) played on Friday, we had an off day; we knew to go at them early,” said Sheen. “We wanted to come at them hard, and we did. We owned the first fifteen minutes and got a goal. At that point we just, kind of dropped off.”
“The effort is there, we can’t sustain the effort passed a certain point,” added Sheen.
In the latter part of the first period, Sam Houston State began to aggressively dominate the ball in Roadrunner territory. Due to their efforts, the Bearkats nearly doubled UTSA in number of shots for the period by amassing seven (four on goal) to UTSA’s four (three on goal).
Ultimately, the Bearkats were able to earn a goal in the 41st minute of the first period, resulting in a 1-1 tie that remained until the half.
The second half was a defensive struggle, marked by excellent goalkeeping from both sides. UTSA goalkeeper Katherine Tesno finished the match with a total of six saves. Sam Houston State goalkeeper Magen Ross finished with five, which included an athletic diving save in the 85th minute that stifled the Roadrunners chances at winning during regulation.
Once in overtime, the Bearkats dominated the majority of the pace and action. In the 97th minute, Sam Houston State forward Mariah Titus chipped in a goal over the outstretched hand of Tesno, effectively ending the sudden-death overtime.
“They (UTSA) played hard, they played very well and consistent,” started Sheen. “But on the day, they (Sam Houston State) played better.”
With the loss, the soccer team moves to an all-time record of 6-3-1 in home openers.
Next, the Roadrunners will be in action on Aug. 28 for an away game against Abilene Christian. Their next home match won’t be until Oct. 2, when they’ll take on Marshall as a part of their Conference USA schedule.
