SAN ANTONIO – The UTSA soccer team (3-0-3) has extended its unbeaten streak to six games and returns to the friendly confines of the Park West Athletics Complex to face UIW (3-3-1) in Thursday’s Hometown Showdown and Salute to Educators, presented by Wendy’s. Kicking off at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with UTSA volleyball, the matchup with the Cardinals opens up a two-game homestand to wrap up non-conference play. Thursday’s game will be broadcasted on ESPN+
Game Theme/Promotions
Presented by Wendy’s, Thursday will not only be the Hometown Showdown with the Cardinals visiting from across town, but will also be UTSA’s annual Salute to Educators. There will be recognition of professors and other educators during the game. The first 150 fans get an orange UTSA ‘Let’s Go 210’ t-shirt and food trucks from Las Palapas and Playa Bowls will be on hand. Before the game, the Roadrunners will officially unveil 2025’s postseason banners. Following the game, the UTSA soccer team will be signing autographs.
On the Air
Catch the live broadcast from Park West streaming on ESPN+, featuring EJ Sanchez (play-by-play) and Katie Goodman (analyst) on the broadcast call.
UTSA Athletics will also provide LIVE STATS from Park West.
Tickets to Thursday’s Game
Single-game tickets are available online, at the UTSA ticket office and at the Park West box office (an hour before game time).
All seating is general admission and listed pricing includes fees
Buy UIW vs. UTSA Hometown Showdown Tickets Here
- Adults - $12
- Juniors (ages 3-18) - $10
- Seniors (ages 65+) - $10
- Military (with ID) - $10
- UTSA Students: Free Admission with UTSA ID, download tickets at goUTSA.com/studentlogin.
Doubleheader Ticket Deal
With the Roadrunners and Cardinals kicking off at 8 p.m. at Park West, the UTSA volleyball team will have first serve against Gonzaga at the Convocation Center at 6 p.m. UTSA Athletics has announced a doubleheader ticket deal to catch both events for just $10.
To take advantage of the opportunity to catch both teams on Thursday night, click here.
About the Roadrunners
The only undefeated team in the American Conference and one of just 40 nationwide, the Roadrunners are coming off a last-second road victory at East Texas A&M and are looking to expand their formidable 67.4 percent (28-11-10) home win rate since 2020-21 on Thursday night. The reigning American Conference Champion Roadrunners have bumped up the offense in 2026, topping the American with an NCAA 59th-best 2.17 goals per game, aided by 13.67 shots, 5.83 shots on goal and a league-leading (26th NCAA) 2.67 assists per outing. Defensively, UTSA tops the American with a 1.17 goals-against-average and a .720 save percentage.
The bulk of time between the pipes has gone to senior Jasmine Kessler, who made her school-record 58th consecutive start at goalkeeper at ETAMU. On the season, Kessler has a 1.19 GAA with 18 saves and a .720 save percentage.
Ninth-year head coach Derek Pittman secured his 67th UTSA coaching victory to become the all-time wins leader in program history.
About the UIW Cardinals
Seven games into the fourth season under Jake Plant, the Cardinals enter Thursday’s matchup with a 3-3-1 record after a scoreless draw last week against Tarleton State. The Cardinals opened the season on three consecutive wins, but a power conference road slate against SMU, Miami and Texas dealt UIW three consecutive losses.
The Cardinals are also putting notable offense on the board this season, averaging 13.9 shots and 9.0 shots on goal for an NCAA-leading .649 SOG percentage. UIW also ranks third in the Southland Conference with 2.00 goals per game, aided by a league-third 1.57 assist average. Defensively, the challenging road swing skewed the numbers, while UIW has a 2.00 GAA with a .641 save percentage. Freshmen Zaiba Ishaque and Morgan Heintz lead the way for UIW with three goals apiece, while senior Kiana Villa tops the Cardinals with four assists. UIW spreads out its shooting, with five players earning at least nine shots and freshman Lily Ruff leading with 12. In goal, former TCU transfer and grad student Hannah Alexander is back for her second season at UIW after playing every 2025 minute. Alexander has the bulk in 2026 and has a 2.15 GAA, 26 saves and a .650 save percentage.
Series history
Playing the last two outings of the nine-year series at Toyota Field, UIW will make its first regular season appearance at Park West on Thursday. The Roadrunners lead 3-0 after topping the Cardinals 1-0 last season. UTSA held a 22-11 shot advantage and the Cardinals only got two chances on goal in the second half in last year’s UTSA win.
UP NEXT: UTSA rounds out the non-conference schedule with perennial powerhouse Santa Clara coming to Park West for the first meeting between these teams. The Roadrunners and Broncos will face off on Thursday, Sept. 17 in the Rowdy Rodeo game for UTSA.
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