TAMPA, Fla. – The UTSA soccer team's undefeated streak was snapped as the Roadrunners fell to South Florida, 1-0, at Corbett Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The Roadrunners had a great test of what they will face in the American Athletic Conference. UTSA kept the Bulls scoreless through the first 86 minutes, showing that they can compete with even the best teams in the American.
UTSA kept South Florida scoreless in the first half, despite the Bulls recording six shots before the break. The Roadrunner defense held strong, not allowing a single shot on goal through the first 45 minutes of action. UTSA countered with two shots of their own, including one shot on goal. Neither team scored in the first half, taking a scoreless 0-0 match to halftime.
The second half was another defensive battle in which the Roadrunners showed off how relentlessly strong their backline is. Almost identical to the first half, the Bulls fired off six shots in the second, while UTSA countered with two. The difference in the second half was USF's two shots on goal.
In the 87th minute, the Bulls headed a ball into the net to break the scoreless match and take a 1-0 lead late in the action. Besides a few throw ins and a foul called in the last three minutes, the pitch was cold on offensive action through the last few minutes. The Roadrunners fought hard on the defensive front, but fell 1-0 to South Florida.
"Our players showed tremendous toughness defending today," coach Derek Pittman said. "Everyone absolutely emptied the tank against a quality USF team. We limited a very talented team to only two shots on goal and frustrated them for long periods of time."
Because the team played Stetson on Friday, UTSA had only one day between matches this week, as opposed to the two days between to recover.
"It was always going to be a difficult task having less recovery time from our match Friday morning and our players rose to the task," Pittman continued. "We will learn from this and bounce back this coming week at home."
South Florida outshot UTSA by 12 shots to four shots, firing off two shots on target each. The Bulls had the possession advantage with 67 percent possession through the entire match, but the Roadrunners defensive line kept them to just two shots on goal in that time. Kendall Kloza and Lexi Bolton led the Roadrunners with a shot on goal each. Kloza, along with Sabrina Hillyer and Sarina Russ played the entire 90 minutes as UTSA faced an intense defensive battle with the Bulls.
UTSA's record now sits at 4-1-1 going into its final match before the conference season kicks off next week. South Florida improves to a 2-3 overall record.
GOALS
USF: Georgia Brown (87')
UP NEXT
The Roadrunners return home to host Stephen F. Austin on Sept. 11 in their final non-conference matchup before conference action begins. Kickoff for the match against the Ladyjacks is set for 12 p.m. (CT) at Park West Athletic Complex. Every home match is free admission for fans.
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