After winning the American Conference championship, the UTSA soccer team (10-5-6) will travel to Lubbock, Texas, to face Texas Tech (13-2-4) at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 14, in the opening round of the NCAA D1 Women’s Soccer Championships.
Under the direction of eighth-year Head Coach Derek Pittman, the Roadrunners earned their first American Conference title over the weekend in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., earning the second conference crown with Pittman at the helm.
For the first time since 2022, the squad notched a 10-win season.
“Our group believed we were capable of this achievement all season long,” Pittman said. “Earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament is the result of their unselfish work, a shared vision and an unconditional commitment to improve every single day.”
“Now, facing a tough opponent in Texas Tech, our mindset is simple: Respect the moment, but don’t be intimidated by the name. We will be prepared, and we are here to compete to keep this historic season alive.”
The Texas Tech Red Raiders are 13-2-4 overall and went 7-1-3 in Big 12 Conference play for a fourth-place regular-season finish in the conference. Opening the Big 12 Tournament as the fourth seed, the Red Raiders were eliminated on Nov. 3 by fifth-seeded Baylor via a 7-6 penalty shootout after the two squads battled to a draw through regulation and overtime.
The Roadrunners have previously won conference tournaments and reached the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championships as an automatic qualifier in 2022 (Conference USA) and 2010 (Southland Conference).
The Roadrunners and Red Raiders will face off Friday at the John Walker Soccer Complex in Lubbock. In the single-elimination tournament format, the winner will advance to a second-round matchup on Thursday, Nov. 20, against the winner between Tennessee and North Carolina.
Roadrunner fans who can’t make the trip to Lubbock can cheer on the UTSA soccer team at the official watch party at Little Woodrow’s Braun, 9840 W. Loop 1604 N. The match will be televised on ESPN+.
