MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The UTSA soccer team (6-4-1, 1-2 AAC) battled 17th-ranked Memphis (6-1-1, 1-0-1 AAC) to a scoreless tie almost the entire distance on Thursday at the Billy J. Murphy Soccer Complex. While goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler weathered a heavy barrage from the Tigers, a 78th-minute Alex Mackay goal shattered the deadlock and sent the game to a 1-0 Memphis final margin.
The Roadrunners kept the Tigers off target in the opening half, allowing just a single shot on goal – saved by Kessler. However, early in the second half, Kessler stepped up to added pressure, locking up four more saves in the first 24 minutes after halftime.
In the 74th minute, reigning AAC Offensive Player of the Week Tyler Coker got the best chance at pushing UTSA ahead, launching herself through the midfield with a breakaway run past three Memphis defenders before firing a saved 1v1 shot off her left foot. With the clock winding down on a 0-0 tie, a scramble close to the goal gave Mackay the chance to drive in the game-winner off a cross from Kate Howes.
Coker and Jordyn Hyland each had shots on goal for the Roadrunners. Kessler matched her season high at five saves on the night, bringing her to 33 for the year – just four stops short of her rookie total in 2023.
Goals
UTSA: None
MEM: Alex Mackay (78’)
Quoting Coach Derek Pittman
“Memphis is nationally ranked and the measuring stick in the AAC for a reason. We knew it would be a tough task on the road tonight and I'm very pleased with the grit and toughness our players showed throughout the match. We gave everything we had and unfortunately came up short but there were a lot of positives to build on for our next match vs Rice on Sunday!”
UP NEXT: The Roadrunners are back at Park West for the Salute to First Responders on Sunday, hosting Rice (8-2-1) with a 1 p.m. kickoff in a key in-state AAC matchup. The league’s leader in overall wins, the Owls picked up a 2-1 win over UAB at home on Thursday night and will come to San Antonio for only their third road contest of the year.
- UTSA -