SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA soccer team (0-0-1) kicked off its historic 20th season with a scrappy and exciting back-and-forth against Big 12 opponent Houston (0-0-1) on Thursday night at the Park West Athletics Complex. Fans got their fill of non-stop action as the Roadrunners and Cougars slugged it out in a physical defensive standoff that closed in a scoreless draw after some last-minute dramatics and thanks to the quick hands of junior goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler.
The shooting was limited early as 61 percent of the opening half saw the ball remaining in the middle third of the field and neither squad truly gaining the upper hand – Houston pulling out a slight 5-4 shot advantage in the first period. Just over a minute before the break, Kessler stopped Blake Hodgeson’s attempt for her second save of the night and milestone 100th of her career – in only her 31st game.
Kessler’s big night extended into a vigorous second half, including a clutch stop punching a free kick over the crossbar and unshaken by Madyson Bentil’s 85th-minute strike, dropping on the shot for her seventh save of the night.
In the waning moments, UTSA got one final opportunity to break the stalemate. Officials went to the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) replay to confirm Houston’s Samira Minor had fouled in the 18-yard box and awarded the Roadrunners the season’s first penalty kick with 37 seconds remaining. Freshman Brooklyn Bailey put the ball across keeper Maggie Manning to the right but just missed netting the ball off the right pipe – all but sending the 0-0 draw final.
Kessler notched the second-most saves of her career at seven stops to bring her total to 105 at the start her third season, and her 11th career solo shutout. The Cougars finished with an 18-10 shot advantage on the evening and Manning had three stops for UH. First-year Roadrunners Aaliyaiah Durden and Bryn Maxwell registered on-target attempts alongside senior Izzy Lane.
Goals
UTSA: None
HOU: None
Quoting Coach Derek Pittman
"I’m extremely proud of our team. I think we showed tonight our real toughness. It definitely wasn’t our best soccer, there are some things we need to clean up but the toughness, character and commitment that our team showed tonight to battle a very talented UH team was really positive. It’s going to bode really, really well for us as we move forward. Unfortunate not to nick it in the end, but I’m going to pick BB any day of the week to take penalties because I’ve seen her bang them in time and time again. Unfortunately, it didn’t go in this time but we’ll earn many more of those opportunities. Jasmine’s saves pushed her over 100 in her career and her 11th shutout, she was big-time and was critical for us in the second half in some key moments. We don’t have the opportunity to win the game in the end if she doesn’t do what she did.”
Up Next
It’s another important Big 12 matchup to close out opening week, as the Roadrunners welcome ninth-ranked TCU to Park West at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17. The Roadrunners and Horned Frogs will meet for the first time since their 2022 NCAA tournament matchup – tying for UTSA’s highest-ranked opponent to play at Park West.
Season tickets are on sale now and all UTSA Soccer season tickets are general admission. Season tickets are $65. For an additional $35 at time of purchase (a total price of $100), season-ticket members will receive a limited-edition UTSA Soccer 20th Season scarf and also will be invited to exclusive chalk-talks with head coach Derek Pittman and his staff before select home games.
To purchase season tickets, click here to order online or call the UTSA Athletics Ticket Office at 210-458-8872 during normal business hours.
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