UTSA soccer looks to build momentum in conference play

Ava Jackson. UTSA women's soccer exhibition against Texas on Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, at UTSA Park West. - photo by Joe Alexander
Ava Jackson has three goals for UTSA this season. – photo by Joe Alexander
The UTSA women’s soccer team will try to bounce back from its only loss of the season when the Roadrunners open American Conference play this week.

UTSA lost to two-time NCAA champion Santa Clara 1-0 last week.

“I’m really happy with where we are at this point in time,” UTSA coach Derrick Pittman said in his weekly news conference on ESPN+. “I thought it’s been a really strong stretch of eight games, 10 games if we include the exhibitions.

“I think we’ve learned something as a team each and every time out on the field. I think we’ve continued to improve each and every week. I thought our performance against Santa Clara was really positive – the outcome wasn’t quite what we had hoped.”

UTSA’s (4-1-3) first conference match is on the road against East Carolina on Thursday at 6 p.m. (Central). TV is on ESPN+

The Roadrunners play on the road again Sunday against Charlotte at noon (Central). TV is on ESPN+

“I think the energy and enthusiasm of the group ready to start conference play this week is exciting, refreshing,” Pittman said. “I know our kids are ready to get after it.

“It’s definitely not going to be an easy task going on the road for these two in North Carolina. East Carolina is a very talented group and so is Charlotte. We know we have our hands full and we’ve got to prepare to be our best so we can go out and perform to our best each and every league game.”

UTSA has outscored its opponents 16-9 on the season. Ava Jackson and Brooklyn Bailey lead the Roadrunners with three goals each and Sofia Peters, Dulci Binns and Lilli Denhardt have two each. Leah Varela leads UTSA in points with nine on seven assists and one goal.

Jasmine Kessler has started every game in goal for UTSA and has one shutout.

East Carolina is 1-2-6 on the season (0-1-3 at home, 0-0-1 in conference). The Pirates opened conference play last week with a 1-1 tie on the road against Tulsa. Caitlen-Star Dolan Boodram scored East Central’s goal.

Charlotte is 4-4 on the season and 0-1 in conference. The 49ers are coming off a 3-2 road loss to Florida Atlantic in their conference opener. Evie Craven scored both Charlotte goals. Charlotte has a home game Thursday against North Texas before its meeting with UTSA.

UTSA soccer kicks off American Conference play

UTSA opens American Conference play on the road Thursday against East Carolina. - photo by Joe Alexander
UTSA opens American Conference play on the road Thursday against East Carolina. – photo by Joe Alexander
UTSA women’s soccer opens its American Conference schedule on the road this week.

The Roadrunners (4-1-3) start conference on Thursday at 6 p.m. against East Carolina in Greenville, N.C.

UTSA follows on Sunday at noon against Charlotte in Charlotte, N.C.

Last season UTSA lost to East Carolina 2-1 at Park West with Michelle Polo scoring UTSA’s goal. UTSA tied Charlotte 1-1 at Park West with Zoe May scoring for UTSA.

The Roadrunners went on to win the 2025 American Conference Tournament and earn a berth in the NCAA Tournament.

UTSA soccer falls to Santa Clara

Santa Clara handed UTSA women's soccer its first loss of the season on Thursday at Park West. - photo by Joe Alexander
Santa Clara handed UTSA women’s soccer its first loss of the season on Thursday at Park West. – photo by Joe Alexander
Two-time NCAA champion Santa Clara beat UTSA 1-0 in non-conference women’s soccer on Thursday at Park West.

Kennedy Schoennauer scored the only goal of the night for Santa Clara (4-2-3).

It was the first loss of the season for the Roadrunners (4-1-3), who open American Conference play next week with a Thursday, Sept. 24, road game against East Carolina. UTSA continues the conference road trip on Sunday, Sept. 27, against Charlotte.

UTSA vs. UIW women’s soccer – photo gallery

Bri Carrigan. UTSA beat Incarnate Word 3-1 in women's soccer on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at Park West. - photo by Joe Alexander
Bri Carrigan. UTSA beat Incarnate Word 3-1 in women’s soccer on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at Park West. – photo by Joe Alexander
UTSA remained undefeated in women’s soccer with a 3-1 victory over Incarnate Word on Thursday at Park West. The Roadrunners are 4-0-1 in their last five outings.

UTSA women’s soccer 3, UIW 1

UTSA's Sofia Peters celebrates her second goal in a 3-1 victory over Incarnate Word on Thursday at Park West. - photo by Joe Alexander
UTSA’s Sofia Peters celebrates her second goal in a 3-1 victory over Incarnate Word in women’s soccer on Thursday at Park West. – photo by Joe Alexander
Sofia Peters scored her first two goals of the season to carry UTSA to a 3-1 victory over Incarnate Word in non-conference women’s soccer on Thursday at Park West.

Peters scored once in each half – the first on a header and the second punching in a rebound from a blocked shot.

Leah Varela scored UTSA’s other goal on a penalty kick after Amelia Clark was taken down in the box. Varela also assisted on both of Peters’ goals.

Peri Olmo scored for Incarnate Word.

The Roadrunners remained undefeated a 4-0-3. UTSA plays again at home on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. against Santa Clara.

Sofia Peters’ first goal

Leah Varela’s penalty kick

UTSA's Leah Varela scored on a penalty kick in a 3-1 victory over Incarnate Word in women's soccer on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026, at Park West. - photo by Joe Alexander
UTSA’s Leah Varela scored on a penalty kick.

Sofia Peters’ second goal