SAN ANTONIO, Texas - The Battle for I-35 saw both teams competing in a hard-fought match resulting in a 2-2 draw on Wednesday night in the season opener at Park West Athletics Complex.
The Bobcats struck first when
Lilah Dupree forced a Roadrunner own goal, crossing into the box and deflecting off of a UTSA defender that found the back of the net in the third minute for the first goal of the season by a team in the new Pac-12 Conference era.
A Bobcat foul committed in the 20th minute forced a penalty kick attempt from UTSA's Brooklyn Bailey that snuck inside of the left post to tie the contest at one, as the score would remain true to halftime. Between the posts,
Caitlyn Draper knocked down three saves in the first half to fend off the Roadrunner pressure.
Senior midfielder
Kaylie Smith nearly put the Bobcats ahead in the 53rd minute, when an attempt from just outside the box forced Roadrunner keeper Jasmine Kessler to make a diving save to her left when she left her feet.
Texas State capitalized in the 67th minute when UTSA was issued a yellow card as sophomore
Matsuri Tsutsui floated a free kick forward for
Nina Norshie who punched in her first goal as a Bobcat. UTSA would respond just six minutes later to knot the scare back up, this time at two apiece.
A final UTSA push came in the 89th minute when a 'runner shot on goal hammered the crossbar, and a tie-securing save from Draper to follow ended the season opener.
UP NEXT
Texas State prepares for its home opener when UTRGV visits the Bobcat Soccer Complex on Sunday, August 16 at 7:30 p.m. (CT).
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