SAN ANTONIO — Three second-half goals erased a 1-0 halftime deficit and Houston (5-2-1) handed the UTSA women's soccer team its first home loss of the season with a 3-1 triumph on Sunday at the Recreational Sports Complex.
The Roadrunners (5-4) and Cougars stepped up their defense early on, as the match was scoreless for the first 43 minutes.
Just before the half, however, junior Taylor Padia’s long pass near midfield led to a breakaway for freshman Maria Jose Rojas and she dribbled around Houston keeper Camille Koski before finding the back of the net for her team-leading fourth goal of the season.
An own goal by the Birds put the Cougars on the board in the 51st minute, as Lauri Byrne’s cross hit off a UTSA defender and past sophomore goalie Danielle Snyder to tie the score at one.
Byrne put Houston on top for good with a header off a corner kick in the 57th minute and Jessica Zavalza added a goal in the 88th minute for the final 3-1 margin.
UTSA managed just three shots in the second half, while Houston turned up the heat with 14. The physical match featured a total of 35 fouls, including 21 by the Roadrunners.
The Roadrunners are back in action on Friday, Sept. 24, when they host TCU (4-4-1) in a 7 p.m. contest.
