SAN ANTONIO - Lexi Bolton headed in a service from Rebekah Kensing in the 58th minute to lift UTSA to a 1-0 victory over Houston Baptist in an exhibition match on Friday evening at Park West Athletics Complex.
"I thought our players took a huge step forward tonight," UTSA first-year head coach Derek Pittman said. "We defended as a team. We attacked with much better attitude and precision. We created some real quality chances."
The Roadrunners, who picked up their first exhibition victory of the 2018 campaign, used two goalkeepers to complete the shutout. Michelle Cole started the contest and posted one save in the first 45 minutes of play, while Olivia Futch came on after halftime and also picked up a save.
After playing a scoreless first half, both teams appeared to be more aggressive in the final period. After three attempts combined in the first 12 minutes of the second half, UTSA finally broke through on Bolton's game-winner.
Kensing drove a pass into the center of the box and Bolton was able to guide it past the goalkeeper to put the Birds in the lead.
The Roadrunners' biggest save of the evening came in the 84th minute, as Camrynne Hoover cleared a ball off the line after a shot by the Huskies' Autumn Wildung looked to be heading into the back of the net.
UTSA will conclude exhibition action on Sunday against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
- UTSA -
.@CoachDPittman's thoughts on tonight's 1-0 exhibition win over Houston Baptist #BirdsUp 🤙 pic.twitter.com/imf7EFUNPt
— UTSA Soccer (@UTSAWSOC) August 11, 2018
FINAL: UTSA 1, Houston Baptist 0. The Roadrunners collect a victory in their second exhibition match.#BirdsUp🤙 pic.twitter.com/LO7ZWfPEqV
— UTSA Soccer (@UTSAWSOC) August 11, 2018