SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA Roadrunners soccer team (1-0) kicked off the 2024 campaign with a convincing victory over first-time opponent Navy (0-1) on Thursday night at the Park West Athletics Complex. The Roadrunners scored in both halves on goals by newcomers Zoё May and Kameron Kloza, while the Midshipmen snuck in a very late score for the 2-1 final.
Controlling the possession early and holding the Midshipmen to just a 12-percent stretch in the UTSA goal box during the first half, the Roadrunners went to work from the opening kickoff and turned up the heat on an extremely aggressive approach on both ends. Making the most of a set piece on just the second Roadrunners corner of the night, UTSA stay locked on the target during a scramble that allowed May to get her foot on the ball and take a 1-0 lead in just the sixth minute – netting the first goal as a Roadrunner for the junior Memphis transfer, the first for UTSA this season and the second of her career.
Sophomore Goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler bombed two shots off free kicks to round out on-target shots for the first half, but the Roadrunners held Navy without a shot in the first period. Kessler took three total shots on target from midfield and recorded three saves – including a key stop to a one-on-one breakaway with Navy star Alexa Riddle that preserved the UTSA lead early in the second half.
Just 20 minutes into the second half, a perfectly executed set piece allowed the Roadrunners to grow their lead. Freshman Bri Carrigan laid off a great pass that set Olivia Alvarez for a cross to a leaping Kameron Kloza on the back side, thumping the header home for the 2-0 lead with the first career goal for the local transfer from Texas Tech in the 65th minute.
A last-second goal for Navy allowed the Midshipmen to avoid the shutout, getting on the board with just 36 seconds remaining.
Overall, UTSA commanded the pace and possession, maintaining the ball 70 percent of the game – while spending 70 percent of their possessions in Navy’s final third. Outshooting Navy 16-5 on the night, UTSA placed nine shots on target.
Goals
UTSA: Zoё May (6’), Kameron Kloza (65’)
NAVY: Amanda Graziano (89’)
Quoting Coach Derek Pittman
"I think it’s always really good to be able to get started with a good win. Navy was exactly what we thought they were – a really difficult opponent with a few really special players. But I thought we did a really good job of staying organized. Our players were prepared for what they saw, executed the things we asked of them and competed their tails off in every moment. They fought and scratched and clawed to score the goals that we did on set pieces. We’ve got to get better, but to me, the teams that win at this point in the season are the ones that are willing to do what others won’t – and I thought our players did a fantastic job of that tonight to get the result.”
Up Next
The Roadrunners head into the weekend looking forward to the big crosstown matchup on Sunday, as UTSA makes its first appearance at San Antonio FC’s Toyota Stadium with the second-ever regular season matchup with UIW. The Roadrunners and Cardinals will kick off at 6 p.m. on Sunday. Parking is free and tickets are just $12 in this ‘Battle of the Birds’ – Fans can buy tickets for Sunday’s game here.
- UTSA -