The Wildcats opened their season with a game against UTSA Friday night and lost 4-1. This game was the first of the 2016 season for University of Texas at San Antonio as well.

“We learned that we have to start the game strong,” senior defender Allie Gerner said. “I think we hurt ourselves in the first twenty minutes, but in the last half we played really well and got through some tough situations. If we would have played like we did in the second half we probably would have won or had a better result.”

The women only had 4 shots in the first half while UTSA had 9, however the Wildcats flipped the script in the second half and outshot UTSA 13 to 5. Freshman defender Shay Johnson had the lone goal for the Wildcats and junior Chloe Fifer was credited with the assist. ACU also made a total of 5 saves, three of which came from senior goalkeeper Sydney Newton.

“We have to know how to come out and play hard in a 90 minute game,” senior defender Kelsie Roberts said. “We went into halftime and really calmed down and talked about how we just need to control the ball. We played with nerves and got pressured hard this game, so I think that’s what got us in this first match.”

Freshman Kaiteann Lochte scored the first two goals for the Roadrunners, then junior Kaja Skare two more to push the score to 4-0 with Johnson’s goal for the Wildcats following shortly after. UTSA was able to make 8 saves in the winning effort.

“No one gave up on each other. We stayed positive throughout the game and to know that we can stay together in this tough experience shows how well are chemistry is,” said Gerner.

The next game for the women will be Sunday at 1 p.m. against the University of Texas at El Paso.