HUNTSVILLE – The UTSA women’s soccer team moved into first place of the Southland Conference standings with a 2-1 victory at Sam Houston State Friday night.
The Roadrunners, winners of their last four of five matches, even their overall record to 8-8-2 and improved 5-1-2 in SLC play. The Lady Bearkats dropped to 3-13 and 1-6 in league play.
“It was a good win for us, because we are finding ways to win games, that early on in the season we couldn’t do.” said head coach Steve Ballard. “We played well in the second half and are starting to play as team. This win puts us at .500 for the season and I am proud of our team.”
Junior goalkeeper Rachel Francis tied her career-high with 12 saves on the night, while freshmen Ezinne Okpo scored her first goal of the season and Veronica Najera netted her sixth winner on the year.
After a scoreless first half, both teams combined for three goals and 18 shots attempts in the second frame. UTSA struck at the 59-minute mark, when Okpo received a pass from freshman Chelsea Zimmerman and put it past SHSU’s goalie for 1-0 lead. Sam Houston State’s Raquel Bueno’s goal with 75:44 left in the half tied game 1-1.
With eight minutes left in the match, Najera scored the winning goal to seal the victory for the Roadrunners.
UTSA travels to San Marcos next weekend for the 2006 Southland Conference Soccer Tournament on Nov. 2-5.