The goal, executed as drawn up specifically for the occasion, was waved off for a foul. It was a “harsh” development that erased early momentum and, if not handled properly, could’ve rendered even further damage.

But the UTSA women’s soccer team has already faced its share of adversity in the beginning stages of its season, with injuries — at least four are season-ending — being the biggest. The Roadrunners have established an unwavering mentality to navigate the hardship.

“It’s the ability to keep going,” redshirt sophomore forward Sadie Paul said.

The resiliency, another productive offensive showing and a solid defense paved the way for UTSA’s 2-0 triumph vs. Colorado College in a non-conference encounter on Thursday at the Park West Complex. It was the Roadrunners’ first win after opening the season with 2-2 draws vs. Texas State and No. 6-ranked TCU.

“Getting your first win of the season is always a great thing,” said UTSA redshirt sophomore forward Ava Jackson, who tallied the game-winning goal. “We’re just trying to build off that momentum.”

The energy is high right now for the Roadrunners. They rallied after conceding early goals to tie Texas State in their home opener on Aug. 12 and at TCU on Aug. 16. Both opponents advanced to the NCAA tournament a year ago, with TCU making the national semifinals.

“It’s just nice to know that this should be the standard,” Paul said. “We should be shutting teams out and scoring a bunch of goals. Losing a couple of girls is upsetting; sacked us hard. We’re still a great team. Just got to bounce back.”

UTSA was up to the task, creating numerous scoring opportunities while a defense led by senior goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler and the backline of redshirt junior Aaliyaiah Durden, sophomore Sofia Peters and sophomore Kacey Grahmann yielded little ground to earn a shutout.

Jackson put the Roadrunners ahead for good when she tapped in the rebound of a shot by teammate Brooklyn Bailey that was blocked by Colorado College goalkeeper Regan Wallace. It was the second straight match that Jackson has scored a goal in such a manner.

“I think being a striker, you just have to be in the right place at the right time,” Jackson said. “That’s kind of our job. (Coach) Derek (Pittman) talks a lot about producing, so anyway you can produce — if it’s a corner, it’s a set piece, just getting yourself in the box, making plays for other people. This time, (Bailey) did a great job, and then I just had to be there to get the ball in the back of the net.”

The score stood up until halftime. Despite UTSA being comfortable in control, the Tigers (2-1) remained one fortuitous break or bounce from pulling even. Paul, a transfer from TCU, provided a cushion in the 57th minute when she sliced between two defenders and connected on a lunging header for her first goal at UTSA. Sabrina Taber and Jackson had assists.

The goal was a bit of retribution for Paul, who scored on a header off a corner kick from Leah Varela for a 1-0 advantage barely three minutes into the contest. Colorado College challenged that UTSA had committed a foul on the play, and VAR (video assistant referee) confirmed the infraction, denying the score.

“Obviously, I thought the first one was a goal,” Paul said. “It happens. I guess ‘ball doesn’t lie.’ A goal’s a goal.”

The Roadrunners, who have scored two goals in each of their first three games for the first time in their 21-year history, held firm the rest of the way to record the first win by either team in the series. The first two meetings in 2013 and 2025 ended in scoreless draws.

“We knew these first two weekends were going to be really challenging,” Pittman said. “We’re building some game fitness into our players and continuing to see some good things out of our team.”

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