UTSAWS_210228_064UTSAWS_210228_064
Jeff Huehn/UTSA Athletics
Soccer

Sarina Russ nets game winner in 2-1 result over Grand Canyon

SAN ANTONIO – Goals from Isa Hernandez and Sarina Russ lead UTSA soccer to a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Grand Canyon, stretching the win streak for the Roadrunners to three games, on a steamy afternoon at the Park West Athletics Complex. 
 
UTSA (3-1-0) posted a 2-1 victory over the Lopes continuing the early season success the team has had so far, as the Roadrunners have now won three straight games by an 8-1 goal differential. The red-hot Lopes, came into the contest undefeated and had not allowed a goal through three games, posting a 9-0 goal differential. 
 
The Roadrunners got goals from Hernandez, a senior co-captain, and the first career goal from Russ, a junior out of Lafayette, Colo. On the game-winning tally from Russ, Hernandez and senior Ellis Patterson notched assists. It marked the first assist on the year for Patterson, who now has 14 in her five-year career, ranking fourth in program history. Patterson, a native of Austin, Texas, has 50 career points to rank third in UTSA annals. 

 
After a scoreless first half of play, the Roadrunners got the scoring started in the 61st minute as Hernandez cashed in on a penalty kick which was drawn by a run down the middle from Patterson.
 
Two minutes later, Alissa Stewart found an opening down the near side of the pitch, sending a cross into the box for Patterson, who flicked it to Hernandez. A native of Kyle, Texas, Hernandez found Russ at the outside edge of the 18-yard box. Russ fired a hard-hit strike into the net past a diving GCU keeper for her first career goal. 

 
Following the quick burst of scoring, the Antelopes took to the offensive. In total, GCU had 17 shots on the afternoon. Six of those shots were saved by UTSA keeper Jil Schneider, who for the second game in a row posted a six-save game. 
 
The Antelopes finally broke through UTSA's stout defense late as Marleen Schimmer boomed in a 40-yard goal in the 86th minute. Following the goal, the Roadrunners buckled down and secured the victory, preserving their 2-1 lead.
 
GCU outshot UTSA by eight and also outshot the Roadrunners in shots on goal by four. The Roadrunners totaled a 7-2 lead in corner kicks on the afternoon. 
 
UTSA looks to keep its hot streak going as they head to Corpus Christi (1-1-0) on Wednesday to take on the Texas A&M Islanders at 7 p.m. That game will be streamed on the Islanders Digital Network.
 

- UTSA -