SAN ANTONIO – Closing out a hot August Sunday afternoon at Park West, the 2024 UTSA Roadrunners soccer team put a lot of different lineup looks in action during their first external competition of the season. Taking on the Baylor Bears in Exhibition play, the Roadrunners saw 10 new players earn playing time as Baylor kept a steady lineup and added third-period scores for the 3-0 win.
Playing a three-period format, the opening stanza was all defense, with three total shots on the board through the first 30 minutes, the third finding the goal in the 27th minute via an unassisted shot from midfielder Ashley Merrill – the Bears’ leading scorer a year ago.
Merrill scored once more in the 67th minute and midfielder Theresa McCullough found the net in the 81st minute.
Controlling the possession time at a 52 percent rate, the Roadrunners led the Bears with eight shots to seven and notched four on target, led by Arlington senior midfielder Olivia Alvarez, who put both of her shots on goal. Delaware transfer forward Izzy Lane, also took two shots for UTSA, logging one on target.
Goals
UTSA: None
BAYLOR: Ashley Merrill (27’), Ashley Merrill (67’), Theresa McCullough (81’)
Quoting Coach Derek Pittman
"It was exactly what we wanted, a quality effort against a good opponent. I thought we absolutely gave Baylor fits for long periods of time, especially for the first 60 minutes of the game it was an absolute battle. Our players did what we set out to do tonight, which was be very organized in our press and play how we want to play, aggressively without the ball. There was definitely some quality with the ball, we just didn’t finish our chances, and they did. That’s where things landed, but that’s why we play these exhibitions to be able to get the most out of these moments.”
Up Next
The Roadrunners have one more exhibition on the slate in the 2024 preseason, heading to face Texas A&M - Corpus Christi on Saturday, Aug. 10 at Dr. Jack Dugan Stadium. UTSA opens the regular season at Park West with a first-ever meeting with Navy on Aug. 15, ahead of an Aug. 18 crosstown matchup with UIW at Toyota Field.
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