HOUSTON – UTSA freshman Anna Sutter scored the golden goal Sunday afternoon, as the Roadrunners defeated Rice on the road in OT, 1-0. The win also secured a place for the Roadrunners in the C-USA postseason tournament, which is the first time in program history.
The victory was UTSA's first-ever win at Rice and second all-time aginast the conference foe. The win snapped an eight-game losing streak to last year's conference champion.
Entering the overtime period, both teams had similar offensive stat lines. Both the Roadrunners and the Owls had eight shots entering OT. Rice held the corner kick advantage 3-2, as well as shots on goal with a 5-3 advantage.
However, it was UTSA that dominated the offensive pressure in overtime. The Roadrunners were able to produce two shots, both on the net, in the seven overtime minutes. The second shot was Sutter's goal that came on a breakaway and ended the game.
Since returning from a broken wrist sustained earlier in the season, the Roadrunners are 3-1-1 with Anna Sutter back in the lineup. Over that five-game span, the freshman has contributed three goals and has helped lead the UTSA offense. Sutter now has three game-winning goals on the year and five total.
Hear from @CoachDPittman following a historic overtime winner at Rice on Sunday!#BirdsUp 🤙 | #UTSADNA pic.twitter.com/GeIkqnhkxa
— UTSA Soccer (@UTSAWSOC) October 17, 2021
UTSA keeper Jil Schneider was tested, as she saved five shots and saw one bounce off the crossbar during the game. Despite the Rice pressure, Schneider held serve and recorded her third shutout in the last four games. The shutout is Schneider's sixth on the season which ties her for second-most in a single season in program history. Schneider also recorded her eighth victory this season – also second-best in school history – and 15th career victory, which is good enough for second all-time in school annals as well.
Following the match against Rice, UTSA (8-4-2, 3-2-1 C-USA) will be back in action next Friday when they return home to face UAB. The match will kick off at 7 p.m., will be played at Park West and will be streamed on CUSA.tv.
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