SAN ANTONIO – Michelle Polo always knew she wanted to play collegiate soccer but, as it got late in her senior year at Magnolia High School in the greater Houston area, she wasn’t sure that she’d have the opportunity.
Competing for Challenge Soccer Club – one of the top programs in the nation - Polo was one of the only players on her team without offers to compete at the next level. She had experienced great success at the prep level, earning First-Team All-District accolades, garnering recognition as the District 21-5A Most Valuable Player and the Montgomery County Player of the Year. Polo helped her team to the Class 5A Semifinals and earned a spot on the All-State Tournament Team.
“It was really hard,” Polo said. “I didn’t feel like I had a lot of options, and I knew for a fact that I wanted to play. At that point, I was relying on my coaches to help me get recruited.”
Enter UTSA head coach Derek Pittman, who has strong connections with the coaches at Challenge Soccer Club, who encouraged him to take a serious look at a player they thought was flying severely under the radar.
“They said, ‘You’ve got to take a chance on this kid; she’s well worth it,’” Pittman said. “She didn’t have the attention that some of the other high-profile players coming out of her class did. I am extremely grateful that I trusted their opinion because I couldn’t have asked for anyone better in the sense of who she is as a person and as a player.”
Less than three years later, Polo – a 5-foot-5 junior forward – is playing a critical role in UTSA’s success. The Roadrunners are on a school-record eight-match unbeaten streak entering Thursday night’s contest against South Florida and they’re ranked second in the American Conference and among the top-70 teams nationally in RPI.
“It’s really cool,” Polo said. “I feel like we’ve played a lot of good soccer my past two years here and there were a lot of times where we couldn’t find a way to win even though we had the skill and the drive. I think this year is much different and it’s something our talent has deserved the last few years.”
In last Thursday’s draw at Rice, Polo – playing in front of a large contingent of friends and family in Houston – scored her first goal of the season, the equalizer that allowed the Roadrunners to stay unbeaten.
“This year, we’ve seen her confidence in whatever role we put her in and whatever position we ask her to play,” Pittman said. “Polo has every tool in her toolbox, it’s just a matter of her choosing the right one in the right moment. When she’s decisive, which you saw on the goal against Rice, she’s got one of the best first touches on our team. She can absolutely hammer a shot.”
Polo’s role has expanded over time concurrent with her own growth. She played in 10 contests as a freshman before starting 14 matches a year ago. This season, Polo has made five starts in 13 outings, playing a variety of roles.
“I’ve definitely grown a lot from my freshman year,” Polo said. “That’s something I’ve reflected on. I think my game has matured a lot. I’ve been able to take criticism better. I’ve grown more resilient and more patient to know when it’s my time to get a result. Throughout this season, I haven’t really scored or felt like I’ve been giving much, but I know to stay patient and I can help the team in many ways other than scoring, on or off the field.”
Pittman has always pushed Polo to challenge what she believes is possible for herself. It’s something his pupil has embraced, and the results are evident in her growth.
“She’s gone through good times and struggles,” Pittman said. “There’s been times that I’ve leaned on her heavily to continue to improve certain aspects of her game and she’s never shied away from that.”
Polo’s personality is the embodiment of the 2025 UTSA team’s spirit. Because of that, the Roadrunners are poised to reach new heights.
“This team is just built with a lot of tough competitors,” Pittman said. “They’re kids that don’t quit. They’re resilient. They’re going to give everything they have from opening whistle to the end. We talk about it a lot – if we give up a goal, what’s our response? We’ve been very strong defensively, but we’re starting to put some goals in the back of the net. We hope that continues down this home stretch of the season.”
UTSA (6-2-5, 2-0-3 The American) plays host to South Florida at 7 p.m. Thursday at Park West.