CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The UTSA soccer team earned the title of Conference USA Champions after defeating No. 5 seed FAU, 3-2, in the championship match on Sunday afternoon in Charlotte, N.C.
In their final year in the Conference USA, the Roadrunners are leaving the conference with a splash, as they earned their very first conference championship since joining in 2013. UTSA will head to the NCAA tournament for the second time in program history - the first time being in 2010.
UTSA sits at a 12-5-4 overall record, while FAU ends its season with an overall record of 11-8-3. The Owls outshot the Roadrunners by 15 shots (six on goal) to eight shots (four on target). Marlee Fray led the Roadrunners with two shots – both of which resulted in goals, the first multi-goal game of her career. Fray's first goal was the opening goal and her second was the game-winner. Mia Krusinski was solid in goal, notching four saves in the match.
Four Roadrunners earned tournament awards. Kendall Kloza was named the Defensive MVP. Anna Sutter was named the Offensive MVP. Marlee Fray and Mia Krusinski were named to the All-Tournament Team.
Although the first half of the match moved slow, the Roadrunners made their three first-half shots count. The first shot of the match wasn't until the 19th minute. The next shot was 12 minutes later and opened up scoring as Fray made an immediate impact, just under 30 seconds into being brought into the game, gave UTSA the 1-0 advantage in the 32nd minute.
The Owls began picking up the pace in the second half of action, scoring two goals on four shots to knot the match up at 2-2. The Roadrunners fired off three shots but were unable to score, taking the match to overtime. Less than two minutes into overtime, Fray scored her second goal of the match, giving the Roadrunners back the 3-2 advantage. The Owls fired off seven shots in the second overtime period, but UTSA held their ground to take the 3-2 victory and win their first C-USA Championship title ever.
GOALS
UTSA: Marlee Fray (32', 92'), Kiran Singh (36')
FAU: Morgan McDonald (55'), Elin Simonardottir (68')
UP NEXT
The Roadrunners earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship. Matchups and bracket are set to be announced during the NCAA Selection Show on Nov. 7 at 3 p.m. (CT) on NCAA.com.
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