SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA soccer team (1-0-2) delivered its first win of the 2026 season to remain undefeated after topping previously undefeated Colorado College on Thursday night at the Park West Athletics Complex. Ava Jackson and Sadie Paul tipped the scales for the Roadrunners, as UTSA put up an offensive barrage and heavily controlled possession against the visiting Tigers.
Though the Roadrunners finished the night with two goals on the board against the Mountain West opposition, it was nearly three with a rocket-paced start, as Paul netted a header at the 3:16 mark. However, a Colorado College challenge nullified the goal on an illegal clearout after review. The Roadrunners’ attack showed determination to replace the missing score, racking up nine shots in the first 22 minutes of action.
The Roadrunners succeeded in putting the 1 back on the board in that stretch, as redshirt sophomore Ava Jackson recovered a deflected Brooklyn Bailey shot and drove in the goal from point-blank range past three defenders in the 12th minute – her second goal of the early season. UTSA finished the half up 1-0, notching 11 shots and controlling 61 percent of possessions, while spending 57 percent of their time in CC’s half.
UTSA was quick to extend its advantage coming out of the break. Redshirt junior Sabrina Taber popped the ball high on a deep offensive drive, ahead to Jackson, who headed the ball forward and Paul slipped around her defender for an official header goal inside the left pipe – registering her first UTSA goal and pushing the Roadrunners ahead 2-0.
After holding out an 11-1 shot margin in UTSA’s favor at the half, the Tigers got a few more chances in the second half as the deficit mounted and time slipped away. The final shooting margin landed at 14-6, with UTSA putting five on target and four other solid takes blocked.
Recording her first clean sheet of the season and the first win in the draw-ridden series, senior Jasmine Kessler snatched one save late as the only on-goal shot from Colorado College. Bailey logged a season-high four shots, while three other players recorded a pair apiece among seven Roadrunners taking a shot.
Along with Tulsa, the Roadrunners are one of just two unbeaten teams in the American Conference lineup.
Goals
CC: None
UTSA: Ava Jackson (12’), Sadie Paul (57’)
Quoting Coach Derek Pittman
“Definitely want to celebrate getting our first win and first shutout; getting it against an undefeated team was huge. Proud of how our players started the game, getting a goal called back didn’t bother them and they just kept going and stayed on the front foot to get the first. We challenged them at halftime to come out and put the game to bed. That early goal from Sadie was great and proud her for staying to it. We’re really pleased with where we’re at right now, we got a lot of quality minutes in for our subs and we’re looking forward to keep building from here.”
UP NEXT: UTSA’s three-game home stand continues on Sunday, Aug. 23 with cross-town action against St. Mary’s for Glow Night and Salute to First Responders at Park West.
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