CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The UTSA soccer team (4-2-3, 0-1-0 AMER) looks to get back on the winning track on Sunday at Jen Gaber Field, extending its trip through North Carolina with a matchup at Charlotte (5-4-0, 1-1-0 AMER). Playing the first UTSA Sunday game since August, the Roadrunners and 49ers will kick off at noon CT in a conference contest broadcasted on ESPN+.
On the Air
Catch the live broadcast from Charlotte streaming on ESPN+, with Zach McKinstry and Lindsey Ozimek on the broadcast call.
Charlotte Athletics will also provide LIVE STATS from Jen Gaber Field.
About the Roadrunners
The Roadrunners are looking to shake off consecutive losses, the only two of the season, taking on Charlotte in the first Sunday outing since game five against Texas Southern. UTSA fell on a chilly Thursday at East Carolina behind a 25th-minute Pirates score, held to a 1-0 setback despite outshooting ECU 15-8 and a 7-2 on-goal advantage. Pacing the UTSA effort in Greenville, redshirt junior Sabrina Taber rung up a career-best five shots, while sophomore Brooklyn Bailey ranks second in the American Conference and 47th nationally with a team-best 32 shots (3.56 spg). Bailey shares the team lead in goals with redshirt sophomore Ava Jackson (.538 SOG percentage) with three apiece. Aiding the effort, redshirt sophomore Leah Varela tops the conference and ranks third nationally with seven assists (0.78 apg). Defensively, senior Jasmine Kessler has 61 straight games starting in goal and holds the No. 3 goals-against-average in the American at 1.13, with 27 saves and a .730 save percentage. The Roadrunners average 1.78 goals, 15.4 shots and a conference-second (47th NCAA) 2.0 assists, shooting .432 on-goal as a team.
About the Charlotte 49ers
Opening up the second season under Sinead Byrne, the 49ers are 5-4 after splitting the first two American Conference outings. On Thursday at home, CLT rolled past North Texas with a 3-0 result after netting goals in the 14th, 34th and 78th minutes, while goalkeeper Harlee Head collected her second shutout of the year. CLT opened American play with a 2-3 loss at Florida Atlantic last week. The 49ers tally 1.56 gpg off 15.4 spg, 1.2 apg and shoot .511 as a team to rank fourth in the American. Both scoring against the Mean Green, returning second team all-conference select Craven and senior Walker both have three goals to pace CLT – the duo also leads the team with two assists each. Craven is the clear green-light shooter, topping the conference and ranking 22nd nationally with 37 shots (4.11 spg). Defensively, returning starter and American third-teamer Head has started seven with a 1.69 GAA with 36 saves and a .766 save percentage.
Series history
About as even a series as you can get, this is the 10th meeting between these teams, with the series split at 3-3-3. The Roadrunners and 49ers tied at 1-1 last September in San Antonio and it was a scoreless draw the last trip to Charlotte. With UTSA wins in 2018, 2019 and 2022 while both teams were in Conference USA, Charlotte’s last victory in the series was a 3-0 San Antonio win in 2017. The series between these teams began in October 2013 in Charlotte.
UP NEXT: The Roadrunners will open a new month with an old Rivalry at home, hosting Rice for the 19th meeting on Oct. 1 at the Park West Athletics Complex – holding the annual Greek Night and Pink Out for Cancer Awareness for the matchup with the Owls.
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