The scene was both reflective and celebratory. There were balloons, flowers, hugs, tears and a lot of photos. There were family and friends, some who likely have been along for most of the steps on this journey.

For the UTSA soccer team, Sunday was about honoring seniors Sasjah Dade, Jordan Walker, Jordyn Hyland, Sabrina Hillyer, Olivia Alvarez, Maci Geltmeier, Peyton Godbey and Isobel Herrod.

The best way for the Roadrunners to do so, Coach Derek Pittman said, was through their play. It was a powerful homage.

In control from start to finish, UTSA dropped Temple 3-0 in an American Athletic Conference match before a crowd of nearly 500 at Park West Complex. The Roadrunners (7-6-3, 2-4-2) remained in eighth place in the AAC, one point ahead of Charlotte (2-7-6, 1-2-4) for the final spot into the league’s postseason tournament with two weeks left in the regular season.

“Our players know that we need every point possible, every result possible, to go in our favor to have a chance into the conference tournament, and this was just step No. 1,” Pittman said. “I thought we did a good job of showing composure when we needed to show composure on the ball, building when we needed to build, defending against their counterattack, doing the things that we needed to stay focused and disciplined and see out the result.”

As has often been the case this season, the Roadrunners created numerous scoring opportunities with four shots and three corner kicks in the first five minutes of the contest. Unlike several times this year, they capitalized on those chances.

The pressure paid off in the 34th minute when Sophie Morrin converted on a penalty kick for the game-winner. The PK was set up when defender Peyton Godbey was taken down inside the penalty area by Temple defender Gabby Oudin.

“I think emotions played a big part in today’s game,” Hyland said. “Derek said, ‘If you want to honor your seniors, honor them by playing your best.’ I think that we all went out just ready to get the job done.”

The Roadrunners sealed the deal with two goals in 12 minutes midway through the second half. Alvarez made it 2-0 in the 61st minute when Tyler Coker gathered a pass from freshman forward AJ Johnson on a throw-in. Johnson rounded out the scoring in the 73rd minute when she used her body to put in a pass from Coker.

“This one, not so much because of senior day, but we haven’t been winning,” Alvarez said of her goal that gave UTSA some breathing room. “We wanted to come out and get on top of them and put the game away fast. It really gave us the assurance we needed.”

UTSA didn’t let up, holding advantages of 21-4 on shots and 11-0 on corners vs. Temple (2-14, 0-7), which has lost seven straight matches. Goalkeepers Jasmine Kessler and Herrod combined to help the Roadrunners collect their second straight shutout and seventh overall.

“Today was really about giving it our all,” Hillyer said. “Our team really honored us as seniors and played really well.”

terrence@terrencesports.com
Twitter: @sa_terrence1