Texas State, UTSA draw in physical season opener 

SAN ANTONIO — For the second straight year, UTSA soccer opened its season with a draw, tying Texas State University 2-2 on Wednesday at Park West Athletics Complex. 

The Roadrunners (0-0-1) stumbled early, conceding an own goal in the 4th minute, but sophomore forward Brooklyn Bailey equalized on a penalty kick before halftime. The Bobcats (0-0-1) retook the lead in the second half with a free kick that bounced through two players’ legs before Texas State’s Nina Norshie drilled it in. Redshirt freshman forward Dulci Binns tied the score in the 74th minute, deflecting in a free kick from sophomore midfielder Leah Varela.

“Our teams are tough as hell,” coach Derek Pittman said after the game. “They’re not going to back down. They’re going to fight, they’re going to compete, and they’re going to scratch and claw for every inch. To have them respond twice [after] going down was a huge credit to where we are right now in the beginning of the year.

“Maybe it’s not as pretty on the offensive side, or as clean as we want it to be on the defensive side, but our competitive toughness and physicality is always going to be there. I was really proud of how they responded in both of those scenarios.

Early pressure from the Bobcats led to an awry deflection in the penalty box from sophomore defender Kacey Grahmann and an early Texas State lead. 

In the 21st minute, Bobcat defender Jenny Ngankem fouled Bailey just outside the penalty area, but even after review, UTSA was awarded the penalty kick. Bailey connected with the left side of the net, evening the game 1-1. 

“I had [the ball] in my hands when they challenged, and I held on the whole time because I knew I was shooting it no matter what,” Bailey said. “Once it was [confirmed] a PK, putting it in the bottom left, I knew it was going in.” 

Norshie’s goal in the 68th minute meant UTSA would have to rise to the challenge once again to avoid dropping its opener to a bitter rival. The Bobcats’ second yellow card of the night presented the Roadrunners with a free kick opportunity; Varela put the shot on target, and Binns’ redirection secured the score.

The Roadrunners led in shots 13-7, and in shots on goal, 7-3. The 13th rendition of the I-35 rivalry featured 24 total fouls and seven yellow cards — including one shown to each head coach.

UTSA will next face No. 6 Texas Christian University at 7 p.m. Sunday at Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas.