CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The UTSA soccer team took down the No. 3 seed UAB in two overtime periods, 1-0, on Wednesday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C. The Roadrunners are now set to advance to the C-USA Semifinal for the first time in program history.
UTSA sits at a 10-5-4 overall record, while UAB ends its season with an overall record of 9-4-5. The Roadrunners outshot the Blazers by just one shot – 11 shots to 10 shots – but the last one was all they needed. Kendall Kloza led UTSA with three shots (two on target). Kloza, along with Sarina Russ and Deja Sandoval, played the entire 110 minutes. Goalkeeper Mia Krusinski notched five saves for her sixth win of the season. On the final shot of the match, Anna Sutter scored the game-winner in the 108th minute.
Through the first 45 minutes of the match, the Roadrunners fired off six shots while keeping the Blazers to four shots. UTSA had quite a few chances as they were awarded a corner kick and recorded two shots on goal through the first half, but were unable to score before the half. In the second half, the style of play looked a little more defensive as both teams combined for 16 fouls, along with five corner kicks. UAB led the half with four shots in the second 45 minutes of play, while UTSA recorded three more shots. Two of the Blazers' shots were on net but the Roadrunners kept them from scoring.
After 90 minutes of action, neither team scored and therefore the match moved to the postseason-implemented 10-minute overtime periods. In the first overtime period, UAB fired off a shot on goal within the first minute of play but Krusinski saved the shot. Once again, nobody scored in the period, bringing up the second and final 10-minute overtime period.
In the second overtime period, Avery Chaney started things off on a high note as she fired off a shot within the first minute, but it went high. There wasn't much action in the next five minutes until the Blazers notched another shot on goal, which Krusinski saved again. With just under three minutes left, the Roadrunners had to do something to prevent their fate relying on the pressure of penalty kicks. In the 108th minute, Isa Hernandez sent the ball towards the edge of the box, where Avery Chaney connected and fed it to a wide-open Sutter who sent it in the net to put UTSA up 1-0. The Roadrunners finished the job without allowing the Blazers another opportunity through the last few minutes. UTSA survived a 110-minute battle to take down the No. 3 seed UAB and advance to the semifinal round.
GOALS
UTSA: Anna Sutter (108')
UAB: N/A
UP NEXT
The Roadrunners will face the No. 2 seed North Texas on Friday at 4:30 p.m. (ET)/3:30 p.m. (CT) in the C-USA Tournament semifinal round.
-UTSA-
