RUSTON, La. – The UTSA soccer team jumps back into conference action, facing Louisiana Tech on the road on Thursday. The match will be streamed on CUSA.tv at 7 p.m. (CT) at Robert Mack Caruthers Field.
The Roadrunners hold a 6-3-3 overall record (1-1-2 in C-USA play) after a 1-0 loss to Houston on Oct. 2. UTSA has collected five points towards Conference USA standings, tied for sixth place with Louisiana Tech. This will be the last regular season meeting in C-USA play between the two teams as UTSA moves to the American Athletic Conference next season and Louisiana Tech stays in the conference.
The Roadrunners are coming off a 1-0 loss to Houston on Sunday, Oct. 2. The team took a pause from conference play and played one match last week. UTSA outperformed Houston in almost every category, including 15 shots (10 on goal) to 10 shots (six on target). Kiran Singh led the Roadrunners with five shots, including three on net. A goal in the 82nd minute by Houston's Madison Gear was the deciding factor in the loss.
LEADING THE ROADRUNNERS
For the first time since the first week of the season, the Roadrunners are not ranked in the United Soccer Coaches' South Region rankings. The team was ranked No. 8 last week and will look to return to the list this upcoming week. Nationally, UTSA ranks in the top-50 in five different categories, including 35th in assists per game (2.17), 47th in goals-against average (.750), 42nd in shots per game (16.42), 25th in total assists (26) and 50th in total points (72).
The team is second in the Conference USA with 197 shots, 72 points, 23 goals and 26 assists. The Roadrunners are tied with Western Kentucky for the least goals allowed (nine) in the conference through their first 12 matches. As a team, the Roadrunners have outshot their opponents by 197 shots to 88 shots through the season so far.
Singh leads the team with 30 shots (eight on goal) and eleven points (three goals and five assists), starting in all 12 matches. In the nation, Singh has the 72nd-most assists per game (0.42) and 52nd-most total assists. Preseason Conference Team selection Anna Sutter trails her with nine points, consisting of three goals and three 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 seven points consisting of three goals and one assist. She is 86th in the nation and third in the conference with two game-winning goals. Defensively, she has an impressive 77 percent of defensive challenges won and 83 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 nine goals and recording four shutouts through the first 11 matches, accounting for 3,897 minutes combined.
SERIES HISTORY
In the all-time series, UTSA holds a 2-6-1 record against the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters. The teams last played each other on Oct 14, 2021, when the Roadrunners tied with the Lady Techsters, 2-2, after two overtime periods. This match was played in front of UTSA's eight-largest crowd in school history (823). Then-senior Isa Hernandez and then-sophomore Marlee Fray each recorded a goal in the match, while Kiran Singh led the team with two shots on goal. Then-junior Jil Schneider notched four saves in the match.
SCOUTING THE LADY TECHSTERS
Louisiana Tech is coming off a 1-1 draw with FIU on Sunday, Oct. 2, to bring their overall record to 3-7-3 (1-2-2 in Conference USA play). The Lady Techsters were picked to finish ninth of 11 teams in the C-USA, based on the preseason conference coaches' poll.
Flavie Dube leads Louisiana Tech with 12 shots (eight on goal) and seven points consisting of three goals and an assist. Sydnee Korchak has started 12 games for the Lady Techsters, recording 49 saves and allowing 20 goals.
UP NEXT: The Roadrunners head to Birmingham, Alabama, to face conference leader UAB on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 12 pm (CT) at PNC Field.
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