BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UTSA soccer team heads to Birmingham, Ala., to face conference leader UAB on Sunday. The match will be streamed on CUSA.tv at 12 p.m. (CT) at PNC Field.
The Roadrunners hold a 6-4-3 overall record (1-2-2 in C-USA play) after a 2-1 loss to Louisiana Tech on Thursday. UTSA has collected five points towards Conference USA standings, currently sitting in eighth place. Both the Blazers and Roadrunners are moving to the American Athletic Conference next season, therefore marking this match their final regular season match in C-USA play.
The Roadrunners are coming off a 2-1 loss to Louisiana Tech on Thursday, Oct 6. UTSA outperformed the Lady Techsters in almost every category, including 21 shots (12 on goal) to 14 shots (four on target). Louisiana Tech struck first in the ninth minute, but UTSA responded in the 42nd minute to take a 1-1 tie to halftime. In the second half, the Lady Techsters were awarded a penalty kick to take a 2-1 lead, which was ultimately the deciding factor in UTSA's 2-1 loss to Louisiana Tech.
LEADING THE ROADRUNNERS
For the first time since the first week of the season, the Roadrunners are not ranked in the United Soccer Coaches' South Region rankings. The team was ranked No. 8 last week and will look to return to the list this upcoming week. Nationally, UTSA ranks in the top-50 in four different categories, including 32nd in assists per game (2.15), 38th in shots per game (16.77), 22nd in total assists (28) and 48th in total points (76).
The team is second in the Conference USA with 218 shots, 76 points, 24 goals and 28 assists. The Roadrunners have allowed the second-least goals (11) in the conference through their first 13 matches. As a team, the Roadrunners have outshot their opponents by 218 shots to 102 shots through the season so far.
Singh leads the team with 33 shots (13 on goal) and eleven points (three goals and five assists), starting in all 12 matches. In the nation, Singh has the 61st-most total assists. Preseason Conference Team selection Anna Sutter trails her with nine points, consisting of three goals and three assists.
Sasjah Dade was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week on Aug. 30. Although she is a defender by trade, Dade has contributed greatly on offense as she has seven points consisting of three goals and one assist. She is 92nd in the nation and third in the conference with two game-winning goals. Defensively, she has an impressive 77 percent of defensive challenges won and 83 percent successful tackles.
The defensive line of Dade, Deja Sandoval, Kloza and Sabrina Hillyer have played integral roles in the Roadrunners only allowing a conference-best nine goals and recording four shutouts through the first 11 matches, accounting for 4,214 minutes combined.
SERIES HISTORY
In the all-time series, UTSA holds a 1-3-1 record against the UAB Blazers. The teams last played each other on Oct 22, 2021, when the Roadrunners tied with the Blazers, 1-1, after two overtime periods. Alissa Stewart scored UTSA's lone goal of the season, leading the team with two shots on goal. Deja Sandoval and Kendall Kloza played all 110 minutes on the defensive line.
SCOUTING THE BLAZERS
Conference leader UAB is coming off a 0-0 draw with North Texas on Sunday, Oct. 2, to bring their overall record to 7-2-3 (4-0-1 in Conference USA play). The Blazers are undefeated in conference play thus far, their best league start in program history.
The Blazers were picked to finish fifth of 11 teams in the C-USA, based on the preseason conference coaches' poll. UAB is also currently leading the United Soccer Coaches' South Region rankings.
Stella Lawson leads the Blazers with 12 points, all consisting of six goals. Lawson has an impressive .857 shot percentage, as six of her seven shots have resulted in goals. Defender Asha Zuniga was named the C-USA Preseason Team. Eve Beyer was named the C-USA Goalkeeper of the Week on Oct. 4 and has notched 30 saves while allowing just five goals in 12 matches started.
UP NEXT: The Roadrunners return home for the first time in three weeks, hosting Middle Tennessee on Oct. 13. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. (CT) at Park West Athletics Complex.
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