SAN ANTONIO – Following two exhibition matches, the UTSA soccer team will open the 2019 season at the Cardinal Classic Aug. 22-25. The Roadrunners will face Louisiana-Lafayette for a 4:30 p.m. tilt on Thursday and Oklahoma State for a 12 p.m. match on Sunday.
UTSA posted a 1-1 record in its two exhibition matches while preparing for regular season. The Roadrunners downed UIW 2-0 on Aug. 11 then fell short at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 0-1 on Aug. 16.
Head coach Derek Pittman returns for his second season at the helm with 15 newcomers, including four transfers and 11 true freshmen. The Roadrunners return 14 players, including top scorers Ellis Patterson and Lexi Bolton.
The Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns are picked to finish ninth in the Sun Belt Conference this season. They finished their 2018 season with a 3-12-3 record, going 2-7-1 in conference action. In their first exhibition match of the 2019 season, the Ragin' Cajuns lost to Southeastern Louisiana 2-0, and tied McNeese State 2-2 in their second exhibition game.
UTSA tied Louisiana-Lafayette 2-2 in their only meeting on Sept. 11, 2015 after two overtimes.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State opens its season Thursday against host Lamar. In their only exhibition match of the season, the Cowgirls tied Tulsa 2-2. OSU is picked to finish seventh in the Big 12, going 10-7-1 in 2018, with a 2-6-1 conference record.
Sunday will be the third meeting between the Roadrunners and the Cowgirls. UTSA is 0-2 against the Cowgirls, with their last meeting on Sept. 3, 2017, ending in a 0-6 loss.
Follow the tournament
Fans can follow the team on live stats, located on the tournament central page.
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