SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA soccer team begins Conference USA play as they host Rice on Wednesday night. The match is set for 7 p.m. (CT) at Park West Athletics Complex.
After a 4-2 win over the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks on Sunday, Sept. 11, the Roadrunners begin their C-USA schedule atop the conference standings with a 5-1-1 overall record. With an undefeated 3-0-1 record on their home pitch, UTSA hopes to gain an advantage in the start of conference action as it plays host to both Rice and Charlotte this week.
Against SFA this past Sunday, the Roadrunners outshot the Ladyjacks by 21 shots (11 on target) to seven shots (four on goal). UTSA held a 58 percent possession advantage over SFA. Kendall Kloza led the team with four shots (all on goal) and the game-winning goal.
The Ladyjacks struck first as a 41st minute goal put them up 1-0, but two Roadrunner goals by Marlee Fray and Ariana Gomez gave UTSA a 2-1 advantage going into the half. In the 67th minute, SFA tied it up at two apiece. Once again, the Roadrunners scored some late goals – Kendall Kloza in the 80th minute and Alissa Stewart in the 83rd minute – to lead UTSA to a 4-2 win over SFA.
LEADING THE ROADRUNNERS
The Roadrunners are ranked No. 5 in the United Soccer Coaches' South Region rankings, announced the organization on Tuesday. Nationally, UTSA ranks in the top-30 in five different categories, including 8th in assists per game (3.00), 26th in points per game (8.14), 27th in shots per game (18.71), 14th in total assists (21), and 28th in total points (57).
The team is second in the Conference USA with 131 shots, 57 points, 18 goals and 21 assists. The Roadrunners still have allowed the least goals (four) in the conference through their first seven matches.
Kiran Singh leads the team with 18 shots (five on goal) and nine points (two goals and five assists), starting in all seven matches. In the nation, Singh has the 13th-most assists per game (0.71) and ninth-most total assists.
Sasjah Dade was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 30. Although she is a defender by trade, Dade has contributed greatly on offense as she has six points consisting of three goals. She is 24th in the nation and tied for first in the conference with two game-winning goals. Defensively, she has an impressive 73 percent of defensive challenges won and 81 percent successful tackles.
The defensive line of Dade, Deja Sandoval, Kloza and Sabrina Hillyer have played integral roles in the Roadrunners only allowing a conference-best four goals and recording four shutouts through the first seven matches, accounting for 2,208 minutes combined. As a defensive unit, these four combine for 72.5 percent defensive challenges won, 74 percent successful tackles and 28 interceptions.
SERIES HISTORY
Rice holds the 11-2 advantage in the all-time series. The teams last played each other last season on Oct. 17, 2021, when the Roadrunners took a 1-0 win in overtime to snap an eight-game losing streak against the Owls.
In the away match in Houston, Anna Sutter scored the game-winning golden goal in the 97th minute, with the assist going to Sarina Russ. Jil Schneider racked up five saves in the matchup.
SCOUTING THE OWLS
Rice holds a 2-6-0 record after a 5-0 loss to No. 8 Florida State on Sunday afternoon. The Owls were chosen to win the Conference USA Championship, according to the conference preseason coaches poll. Bella Kilgore and Delaney Schultz were named to the preseason all-conference team.
Grace Collins leads the Owls with 17 shots (10 on net) and eight points, consisting of a goal and six assists. Rice's starting goalkeeper, Kilgore has also recorded 17 shots (10 on goal) and two goals, while also racking up 32 saves in net.
UP NEXT: The Roadrunners continue to get right into conference action this Sunday, hosting Charlotte at 1 p.m. at Park West Athletics Complex.
- UTSA –
