UTSA to kick off 12th season on Friday nightUTSA to kick off 12th season on Friday night
Soccer

UTSA to kick off 12th season on Friday night

SAN ANTONIO – Following two exhibition matches, UTSA will finally open the regular season this weekend with a pair of matches. The Roadrunners will host Abilene Christian at 7 p.m. Friday at Park West Athletics Complex before hitting the road to take on TCU at 1 p.m. Sunday at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium in Fort Worth.

Admission to Friday night's opener is free.

UTSA posted a 0-1-1 record in a pair of exhibition matches while preparing for the regular season. The Roadrunners dropped a 2-0 decision to Texas State on Aug. 11, but bounced back to earn a scoreless draw with Houston two days later.

Fourth-year head coach Greg Sheen has 15 returning letter winners to lead the way in 2017. The squad also welcomes 12 newcomers to the fold, including one transfer.

The Roadrunners posted a 7-12 overall record a year ago.

UTSA returns 72 percent of its scoring from last season, including both of its leading goal-getters.

Senior forward Kaja Skare netted a team-high seven goals and tallied three assists to lead the offensive attack. Sophomore forward Jordyn Lacy scored five times and posted a team-leading five assists en route to Conference USA All-Freshman team honors.

The Wildcats were picked to finish third in the Southland Conference, following a 9-8-2 overall record, including an 8-2-1 mark in league action, a year ago. Abilene Christian dropped its only exhibition match, a 2-0 decision at the hands of Baylor last Friday.

The Roadrunners and Wildcats have split a pair of previous meetings. UTSA opened the 2016 season with a 4-1 victory over ACU.

Meanwhile, the Horned Frogs open their campaign Friday night against ULM. TCU returns 15 letter winners and brought in 15 newcomers this fall. The Horned Frogs, who posted a record a year ago, were picked to finish seventh in the Big 12 Conference.

Sunday will mark the seventh all-time meeting between the two teams. TCU won the last meeting, 4-0, on Sept. 20, 2015, in Fort Worth.

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