SAN ANTONIO – With just 85 second left in regulation sophomore Madison Kent scored the game's lone goal to lift the Rice soccer team to a dramatic 1-0 Conference USA road victory over UTSA Sunday afternoon in San Antonio.

With the win the Owls remained unbeaten in C-USA league play (2-0-1) while picking up another three points in the conference standings. Rice head coach Brian Lee like what he saw of the team's resolve, particularly in the context of having just played Middle Tennessee to a double-overtime tie.

"Gritty performance on Sunday afternoon after 110 minutes on Thursday," coach Lee explained. "To be pushing that strong for the final 15 minutes and to get the winner speaks highly of our fitness, team depth, and character."

UTSA controlled the game's early tempo, limiting Rice to just a single shot in the first half. The Blue & Gray rallied for seven shots in the second stanza, but had nothing to show for the effort on the scoreboard. With just 1:25 left before heading into a second-straight overtime match (the game's 89th minute) Kent alertly attempted a shot from inside the UTA goal box on the left side. Her only shot of the day, and just her fifth of the season, found the back of the Roadrunner net for a 1-0 lead. The goal was Kent's first of the year and second of her career.

There was still time left on the clock, however, and UTSA continued to fight at home. The Roadrunners managed to take a final shot attempt with five second left in the contest, which Rice senior goalkeeper Maya Hoyer corralled for her fourth save of the second half. The Owls finished the game with six saves overall.

Rice improved to 5-4-1 overall and has seven points garnered in the three C-USA matches. UTSA dropped to 4-4-1 overall and 0-2--0 in conference.

The Owls have concluded the rugged two-game C-USA road swing. Rice next plays league foe UAB at home on Sunday (Oct. 5). Start time against the Blazers at Holloway Field is set for 1 pm.

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