IRVING, Texas – UTSA soccer had a pair of players notch spots on the first American Athletic Conference weekly honors of the 2024 season, as officials from the league office announced on Monday that Olivia Alvarez has been named AAC Offensive Player of the Week, while Kameron Kloza earned honorable mention, for their efforts leading UTSA to a 2-0 start.
Alvarez (Sr., Arlington, Texas, Midfielder/Forward) played a huge role in helping UTSA become one of only three 2-0 AAC teams after the first week of action. Alvarez scored the game-winner on a 51st-minute penalty kick during Sunday's neutral site victory over UIW at San Antonio FC's Toyota Field - punching the ball cleanly into the upper right corner. In addition, Alvarez laid a perfect cross for the assist to set up Kloza for the game-winner in the opener against Navy. Alvarez had six shots with three on goal against UIW, and also one shot, on goal, against Navy.
Kloza (R-Jr., San Antonio, Texas, Center Back) contributed on both ends for the Roadrunners this week, scoring her first career goal in the opener against Navy via a punishing game-winning header off a set piece – while also leading the charge to limit Navy to just five shots. Working from the center back position, Kloza marshaled an unrelenting defensive back line that limited UIW to a single first-half shot and held the Cardinals to just six total shots (three on goal) in the shutout victory on Sunday.
A member of the AAC’s Preseason Watch List, this is the first weekly honor for Alvarez. Likewise for Kloza, who is in her first season with the Roadrunners.
Starting the season 2-0 in consecutive years for the first time in program history, UTSA hits the road this week for the first time this season, heading up the Interstate to meet Texas State in the Battle of I-35 on Thursday night. The Roadrunners delivered a 1-0 victory last season at Park West – Sophie Morrin registering the 21st-minute game-winner. UTSA’s last trip to San Marcos was a 1-0 loss in 2018 during Pittman’s first season in San Antonio. The Bobcats don’t have another game this week after dropping a 2-1 loss at Rice on Thursday.
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