Durden scored in the first half, Brooklyn Bailey scored in the second half – both on headers – and the Roadrunners made it 3-0 on a late own-goal to beat St. Mary’s on Thursday night at UTSA Park West Athletics Complex.
Durden is a redshirt sophomore midfield who came to UTSA from Seminole State College. Her goal on Thursday night was her first in a UTSA uniform and first Division I goal. Her shot was a header in the 33rd minute off a free kick from Ava Jackson, a redshirt freshman from British Columbia, Canada.
Bailey is a freshman from Klein Collins High School in Spring Texas. She had three goals in a UTSA exhibition game. Thursday marked her first official collegiate goal and it came in the 67th minute off an assist from Kamryn Watson.
UTSA’s defense recorded its second shutout and has allowed only one goal in three games. Starting goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler played most of Thursday’s game and Brilynn Mueller finished off the second half.
UTSA is now 1-1-1 on the season. The Roadrunners are back at home on Sunday at 7 p.m. against Lamar.
From Aaliyaiah Durden
“Ava stepped up to the plate to serve it in. Massive credit to her. That was a great ball. I just happened to be right place at the right time.
“It was definitely a relief to see the ball go into the back of the net. It’s always a good feeling to get a goal at home.”
From Brooklyn Bailey:
“We were all working together and just wanting to get out first in-season win, not just an exhibition match. So it just felt great to be out there and get a W.
“It was going good. I ended up falling on the ground but getting back up and celebrating with my teammates. It was really good.
“I saw it coming off. I had the defender below me so then I was trying to get over her and try to make sure the header went down and not over the goal. I was just glad the ball went where I wanted it to go and the ball was placed perfectly from Kam so it was really good.
“After Aaliyaiah scored and after the half kind of coming together and saying that we need to move forward as a team and go against our standards and not play to their level and just continuing to keep our standards high. We just had to settle down and continue play our game.”
