SAN ANTONIO — UTSA jumped out to a 3-0 lead only to see UTEP score three unanswered goals, including one in the final minute of regulation, and the Roadrunners settled for a 3-all tie on Sunday at the UTSA Recreational Sports Complex.
UTSA (2-5-1) grabbed an early lead in the seventh minute on Lindsay South’s first winner of the season. The junior took a feed from sophomores Maria Jose Rojas and Laylla da Cruz and banged a shot off a UTEP defender, which deflected into the goal.
Sophomore Anka Grotle made it 2-0 in the 29th minute with a header off a corner kick by South. It was the second goal of the weekend for the Bremanger, Norway, native.
The Miners (6-2-1) equaled UTSA’s seven shots in the opening period, but were unable to score.
The lead grew to 3-0 when Rojas scored on a pass from freshman Liv Nyhegn in the 58th minute. Her initial shot was stopped by UTEP goalie Sarah Dilling, but the Santiago, Chile, native found the back of the net on the rebound.
However, the cushion was not enough and the Miners cut into the deficit just five minutes later when Mackenzie German beat sophomore goalie Danielle Snyder from just inside the penalty box. It was the first goal allowed by the UTSA defense in 252 minutes of action, dating back to its Sept. 2 match at Texas.
UTEP continued to press on offense and Azia Nicholson’s goal in the 83rd minute brought the Miners within one.
Lauren Katada completed the comeback with a strike in the final minute of regulation. After a corner kick and deflection by a UTSA defender, Katada’s shot found the top right corner of the net for the equalizer.
The Roadrunners were able to hold off UTEP in the two extra periods despite being outshot, 10-1.
The Miners nearly came away with the game-winner, but they had shots hit the crossbar and post during the 20 minutes of overtime.
UTSA will continue its five-match home stand at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 23, when Weber State (2-6) visits the Alamo City.
