SAN ANTONIO — UTSA fell behind early in the second half on Sunday, but freshman Kauwela Neal’s first collegiate goal helped the Roadrunners rally to tie Idaho, 1-1.
After a scoreless opening half that saw UTSA (1-7-2, 0-0-2 WAC) out-shoot the Vandals, 8-4, Erica Hart put the visitors ahead in the 52nd minute with her second goal of the season. Katie Baran quickly took a pass from Chelsea Small and found Hart on the left wing. The senior’s shot beat freshman goalkeeper Katarina Pus to her right for a 1-0 advantage.
That is where the score stood until the 79th minute, when Neal came up with the equalizer. Junior Maria Jose Rojas dribbled into the penalty box and found the freshman from Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, whose shot hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced past the goal line.
The blast proved to be the final winner of the day, as both squads were shut out in the final 11 minutes of regulation and a pair of overtimes.
The Roadrunners looked to be in position for the win in the second overtime when sophomore Liv Nyhegn was awarded a penalty kick. However, Vandals goalie Liz Boyden preserved the tie with one of her eight saves on the day.
Pus finished with seven stops, four of which came in the extra sessions, while freshman Simone Boye led UTSA with nine shots. In all, the Roadrunners tallied 25 shots, while Idaho finished with 15.
UTSA will return to the pitch on Friday, Oct. 5, when it travels to Logan, Utah, for a 4 p.m. (CT) tilt at Utah State (5-2-6, 0-0-2).