MANHATTAN, Kan. – The UTSA soccer team (2-1) faced its first road test of the 2023 campaign on Thursday night, squaring off with Kansas State (2-0-1) at Buser Family Park. Despite an offensive surge in the second half of Thursday's all-out battle with the Wildcats, the Roadrunners fell, 2-0, suffering the first loss of the season.
Typically shot-opportunity heavy through the first two matches, the Roadrunners were pushed onto their back foot early. The Wildcats controlled 62 percent of first half possessions and held UTSA without a shot until the 25th minute. With UTSA entering the game with a 47-3 shot advantage and no corner kicks allowed, the Wildcats surpassed the previous two opponents in both by the eighth minute.
Despite the steady push on the south end of the field, UTSA kept KSU out of the net for 39 minutes, but the Wildcats put away two quick goals in 37 seconds for their only scores of the night. In the 39th minute, Reece Walrod's shot was deflected by UTSA keeper Mia Krusinski, but Jo Sees charged the goal for the go-ahead score. On the next upfield push, Morgan Struttmann pulled up from 19 yards on the right side and delivered a ball high into the net for the 2-0 advantage.
Though UTSA was limited to two shots in the opening half, the Roadrunners came out with five shots in the first 15 minutes of the second half and maintained constant pressure on the Wildcats, taking up 46 percent of the second half possessions.
A razor-close offsides call in the 53rd minute wiped out Sasjah Dade's netted header that would have put UTSA on the board with fresh momentum.
A much more aggressive team in the second half, UTSA logged 57 percent of its attacks in KSU's zone after halftime. The Roadrunners put a pair of their six second-half shots on target, leading to KSU saves. Grad defender Sabrina Hillyer and senior midfielder Avery Chaney paced the Roadrunners with two shots apiece. Krusinski registered four saves.
Goals
KSU: Jo Sees (39'), Morgan Struttmann (40')
UTSA: None
Quoting Coach Derek Pittman
"We will learn from this. Full credit to Kansas State and their performance in the first half. Disappointed in our first half and the errors we made on the goals. We adjusted at halftime and thought we were the team that created the best chances in the second half. Early tests like this will serve us well as we move into more competitive matches in the AAC."
Up Next
Back to San Antonio and Park West for the Roadrunners with a big matchup on Sunday evening. UTSA hosts Texas State in the Battle of I-35. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in the 11th meeting in the series. The Bobcats dropped a 3-0 game at home against North Texas on Thursday night and are also 2-1 on the year.
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