IRVING, Texas – The UTSA soccer team has garnered a week one conference weekly awards following their first competitions as a member of the American Athletic Conference. Fifth-year defender Deja Sandoval was named AAC Defensive Player of the Week for her role in helping UTSA to its first 2-0-0 start since 2016. In addition, junior midfielder Jordyn Hyland was named to the AAC's Weekly Honor Roll.
Sandoval (Albuquerque, N.M) spearheaded a pair of dominant defensive efforts, as UTSA rolled past Central Arkansas and McNeese at home on Thursday and Sunday, respectively. Leaning on Sandoval's leadership, the Roadrunners allowed only a single goal – a successful penalty kick – suffocating the opposing offenses with a 47-3 shot differential. Sandoval played 179-of-180 minutes in her two starts and delivered the first goal of the season via a corner kick header against Central Arkansas. She took four shots, three of which were on goal.
Hyland (Golden, Colo.) played 102 minutes, starting in both victories last week, recording three assists while keeping the pressure on with three shots. After week one, she's sitting in a three-way tie for the Roadrunners' scoring lead.
UTSA returns to action this upcoming Thursday with the first road tilt of the 2023 season. The Roadrunners travel to Manhattan, Kansas to face Kansas State (1-0-1) in a highly anticipated rematch from last season, when UTSA came away with the 2-1 win over the Wildcats at Park West.
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