They walked through the gate like they had many times before. A few moments later, they headed out to a familiar playing surface.

Plenty had changed, though, for some of the central principals who helped a soccer program evolve from fledgling to NCAA Division I tournament qualifier. They’re older now. Some are married and either have or soon will start their own families. They can’t run as fast or for as long as they once did. Even the jersey “fits a little tighter”.

For the UTSA women’s soccer program, the afternoon of April 13 saw an intersection of the past, present and future. The current players defeated the former ones 7-2 in the annual alumni match at Park West Complex.

“Having this alumni game, we’ve had so many great players come and now they can bring their families,” said Mackenzie Kaufhold, who graduated in December. “We have girls getting engaged and pregnant and it’s just honestly so good to come back and see everyone.”

On the field, things played out as one would expect. Freshman Tyler Coker had three goals, freshman Michelle Polo tallied two and sophomore Lulie MacFarlane, a transfer from Memphis, added one to lead the way.

Polo, who had one goal in the fall — a ball bounced off her and into the goal during a 2-0 win vs. Temple on Oct. 15 — notched her team’s first and last goals.

“It wasn’t a very good goal, so it’s nice to get one with my foot on it,” Polo said, referring to her first collegiate goal.

Anissa Munson, a former O’Connor standout who played for the Roadrunners from 2011-2014, scored both goals for the alumni. Her first tied the contest at 1-1.

From there, however, the current squad took control and used its depth and conditioning to its advantage.

“It’s definitely been harder to work out,” Kaufhold said. “I still lift weights and I still do some sort of cardio, but definitely not going out and running miles every single morning. I try to stay fit, so leading up to this I wasn’t too worried about it. But definitely should’ve run more.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1