SAN ANTONIO – After claiming a comeback win in the first exhibition of 2021, UTSA soccer will hit the road for a second preseason matchup, traveling to face Texas State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bobcat Soccer Complex, with the outing aired live on ESPN+.
UTSA will open Texas State's preseason with the matchup at Texas State on Thursday and will wrap up its exhibition schedule on Sunday at 7 p.m. vs. St. Mary's at Park West Athletics Complex.
The Roadrunners are coming off a come-from-behind win on Saturday night at UIW, in an exhibition that featured three 30 minute periods. UTSA allowed a penalty kick tally in the first period but responded with goals from Helene Farris, Lexi Bolton and Lorelei Mauldin, with Bolton, Mackenzie Kaufhold and Anna Sutter each contributing assists.
UTSA is coming off an abbreviated spring 2021 season a year ago, playing in just 11 matches, including a six-game Conference USA schedule. UTSA was led in scoring in the spring by junior Abby Kassal, who had four goals and an assist. Deja Sandoval added two goals, with Sasjah Dade chipping in a goal.
UTSA returns all 15 players who earned starts in the spring and 17 of 21 letterwinners. In goal, the Roadrunners used a pair of keepers in the spring, including Jil Schneider, who started 10 of 11 games, with a 1.26 goals-against average. Taylor Rath also made a start, logging five saves in four games.
The Roadrunners are boosted by the return of super seniors Alyssa Blankenship and Ellis Patterson in 2021. Blankenship has played in 46 games over her first four season, while Patterson ranks fifth in UTSA history with 46 career points over 60 matches.
UTSA also welcomes back Bolton, who has started 33 of her 44 matches through the first three years of her career, with nine goals and 25 points. Standout centerback Kendall Kloza and midfielder Isa Hernandez each return to give UTSA a veteran presence.
Texas State is coming off a 4-12-1 record during the 2020-21 season, playing 14 games in the fall and three non-conference matches in the spring. The Bobcats earned wins over Louisiana-Lafayette, Little Rock and twice vs. ULM. The Bobcats went 4-5-0 in Sun Belt play. Sydney Kammer led the team with three goals in 14 games, with Kiara Gonzales and Emma Jones each netting two. In goal, Beth Agee logged starts in all 17 games, with a 1.64 goals-against average.
While it's not an official game, UTSA has played Texas State 10 times in its history, most recently in 2019. UTSA posted a 3-2 overtime win in 2014 in San Marcos and are 2-3 in games at Texas State.
Following the exhibition schedule, UTSA opens its 2021 season at No. 16 Oklahoma State on Aug. 19 on ESPN+, also facing Tulsa on Aug. 22 in Stillwater, Okla.
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