LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. – For the third time in a week, the UTSA soccer team (10-5-6) made history during its first-ever appearance at the American Conference Championships, earning the program’s first American title and third overall conference championship with a 1-0 overtime victory over Rice (10-4-6) on Sunday at the Premier Sports Campus. Junior goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler took over as the UTSA career goalkeeper wins leader (22) and was named Most Outstanding Defensive Player. After hitting the championship gamewinner, redshirt freshman midfielder Bri Carrigan was named Most Outstanding Offensive Player. In addition, freshman forward Brooklyn Bailey, senior midfielder Zoё May and redshirt sophomore defender Aaliyaiah Durden joined Kessler and Carrigan on the All-Tournament Team.
It was nothing short of deadlock throughout regulation, though the Roadrunners put a strike on numerous quality opportunities. However, Rice goalkeeper Kirsten Ruf was serving up a championship performance, registering nine saves.
Ruf’s biggest threat on the afternoon was Bailey, who fired off career bests of seven shots and four shots on goal that were all stopped by Ruf. Her seven shots tied for the fourth-most in a UTSA game.
In total, the Roadrunners fired off 19 total shots with 10 on-target shots in regulation and overtime, to Rice’s 13 shots with five on goal. Kessler registered five saves and finished the tournament with a 2-0-1 record, moving past Jil Schneider (2019-22) with 22 for the program record – also passing Schneider’s 2021 season for most GK minutes in a season (1839:24)
With regulation ending in a 0-0 draw, the Roadrunners and Owls went to the overtime period, both for the second time in as many tournament games. Both teams advanced to the final on penalty shootout wins.
A second overtime seemed almost inevitable, but in the closing moments of the extra period, Bri Carrigan got the ball from Bryn Maxwell with an open lane down the middle of the field, beating one defender and firing a shot off her left foot before traffic arrived, over Ruf into the top left corner of the net with 1:23 left in overtime for her first goal of the season.
The Roadrunners earned their first conference championship since 2022 and their first since joining the American. UTSA is now undefeated in conference tournament games since 2021, going 5-0-1 with two titles in the last two tournament appearances. This will send the Roadrunners to their third overall NCAA appearance and the first since 2022.
With the win, the Roadrunners are the American’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will take place on Monday, November 10 at 3 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
UTSA Soccer supporters are invited to join the team for the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 3 p.m. CT in the Community Room at the Park West Athletics Complex (8000 TX-1604 Loop, San Antonio, TX 78249). Fans may begin arriving at 2:45 p.m. CT and parking is free at Park West.
Goals
UTSA: Bri Carrigan (99’)
RICE: None
Conference Tournament Awards
Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Bri Carrigan
Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Jasmine Kessler
All-Tournament Team: Bri Carrigan, Jasmine Kessler, Brooklyn Bailey, Zoё May, Aaliyaiah Durden
Quoting Coach Derek Pittman
“This is what it’s all about. To God be the Glory! These players poured their hearts into every second of this season, and to see it end with an overtime championship win – it’s just unbelievable. We’ve battled through adversity, stayed together, showed toughnes and believed in each other no matter what. Tonight, they made history for UTSA. I’m so proud of this team and what they’ve accomplished. We’re not done yet – we’re going dancing!”
UP NEXT: Once the Roadrunners’ destination is determined during the NCAA Selection Show, UTSA soccer will head out to a campus host site at one of the national seeds, with games being played Friday-Sunday, Nov. 14, 15 or 16.
- UTSA -