SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Sunday's match featured a penalty kick each for Lamar and UTSA in the final 10 minutes, but it was the latter who converted the goal that proved to be the difference in a 1-0 loss for the Cardinals.
LU finished the game with 10 shots, including three from
Cena Carlson and two from
Lauren Smith.
Eloise Bywater faced 17 shots and recorded three saves. The Roadrunners' Zoe May scored the penalty kick winner while UTSA goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler tallied six saves.
The Cardinals faced an early onslaught in shots (5-1) in the first 15 minutes, but Big Red's defense was up to the task. UTSA could only muster one other shot for the remaining 30 minutes of the half. Meanwhile, LU put up four shots, including two from Carlson. A crossbar from Big Red was the closest either team came to scoring in the first half before entering the intermission scoreless.
UTSA opened the second half similarly to the first, taking 11 of the first 14 shots attempted. LU made a couple of brilliant defensive stops, including a save from
Annika Kassenbrock off the corner kick in the 59th minute. Bywater prevented UTSA from scoring by making two great saves in both the 64th and 72nd minutes, respectively, but the Cardinals committed a foul inside the box in the 81st minute of play, and May punched in the lone goal of the match.
For the final nine minutes, the Cardinals looked for the equalizing goal, but as the clock ticked down the final seconds, , UTSA was called for a foul in the box, giving LU one more chance on a penalty kick. Kessler's sixth and final save kept the Cardinals from capitalizing, and UTSA emerged with a 1-0 shutout victory.
"It's frustrating to not get a result on the road against a good team, but I am proud of our fight and play tonight," said head coach
Nathan Kogut. "We were unlucky at times, but that's the way the game goes. We have to shake off these last two games and get ready for a very good UC Davis team at home this week. We are ready to play in front of our fans for the first time this fall."
The Cardinals are set to make their 2025 home debut Thursday at the LU Soccer Complex as they will host UC Davis. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. and be streamed on ESPN+.
