SAN ANTONIO — UTSA erased a 1-0 halftime deficit with a pair of goals in the first six minutes of the second half to earn a 2-1 win against Eastern Michigan on Friday night in the second match of the UTSA Classic.
Stephanie Clarke put the Eagles (1-2-1) on the board early with a goal in the 13th minute. The junior’s first strike of the season came just outside the six-yard box after she took a feed from Marisa Kozikowski and Cara Cutaia.
Despite out-shooting Eastern Michigan in the opening stanza, 14-6, the Roadrunners (1-3) were unable to draw even before halftime.
However, UTSA opened the second half with an offensive flurry and tied the contest just 45 seconds into the frame.
Senior Amanda Ortegon beat goalie Jenna O’Dell from close range with the help of juniors Anka Grotle and Maria Jose Rojas to notch her first winner of the season.
The game-winner came nearly five minutes later when freshman Simone Boye’s pass found Rojas for a one-on-one chance at the goal. The Santiago, Chile, native’s shot bounced off the right post and into the net to give the Roadrunners their first lead of the match, and one that they would not relinquish.
Goalkeeper Katarina Pus did her part to close out the victory with three saves in the second half and five for the match. It was her third consecutive outing with at least five stops.
The Roadrunners will close out tournament play at noon on Sunday when they will face Kent State (3-0-1), who shut out Lamar, 3-0, to open the event earlier Friday.