UTSA defender Aaliyaiah Durden moved up the length of the field to score a key goal in the quarterfinals of the American Athletic Conference women’s soccer tournament.
Michelle Polo and Durden did the scoring in No. 5 seed UTSA’s 2-1 victory over No. 4 seed UAB at Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
The Roadrunners improved to 9-5-5 on the season. They advance to Thursday’s 6 p.m. (Central) semifinal against Memphis. No. 1 seed Memphis beat No. 8 seed East Carolina 1-0 to advance.
Polo’s first-half goal came in the 31st minute. Bri Carrigan and Ava Jackson had the assists.
Durden’s second-half goal came in the 57th minute and made it 2-0. She set up by the far post to head in a free kick from Leah Varela.
UAB’s Lailah Stewart scored in the 79th minute cut UTSA’s lead to a goal.
UTSA goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler, the Roadrunners’ career leader in starts in goal, helped hold off UAB with four saves.