Three Spring natives will represent their hometown on the biggest stage in American Conference women's soccer this fall after all three landed on the league's 2026 preseason watch list.
Goalkeeper Jasmine Kessler, forward Brooklyn Bailey, and defender Aaliyaiah Durden earned the recognition as UTSA received its highest-ever preseason ranking, coming in at No. 2 with 80 points in the American Conference coaches poll announced Friday, July 31. Only Memphis, which collected all 10 first-place votes and 100 points, ranked higher.
The trio helped the Roadrunners capture their first American Conference tournament title in 2025, and their paths trace back to the same Spring community.
Kessler: Record-setter in goal
Kessler, a senior, is the most decorated of the group. She was also named to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Players to Watch list on July 31, becoming the first UTSA player ever to appear on that national preseason list, according to UTSA Athletics.
Her 2025 numbers tell the story: 22 starts (a single-season UTSA goalkeeper record), a 0.93 goals-against average that ranked second in the conference, and an .817 save percentage. She holds UTSA career records for wins (22), draws (12), and shutouts (16), and ranks 17th among active NCAA career leaders in goals-against average at 0.85.
Kessler earned American Championships Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors after converting a penalty kick and making the final save in a semifinal shootout against No. 3 Memphis.
Bailey: Clutch sophomore scorer
Bailey, a sophomore, started all 22 games as a freshman and led the Roadrunners in assists (5) and shots (44). She earned spots on both the American All-Freshman Team and the American All-Tournament Team.
Her biggest moment came in the conference semifinal against Memphis. Trailing 3-1 in the 86th minute, Bailey buried a goal that ignited UTSA's comeback. She tied for fourth in UTSA history for freshman assists and shots.
Durden: Defensive game-winner
Durden, a redshirt junior who transferred from Seminole State, made an immediate impact in her first Roadrunner season. She started 21 of 22 games, scored four goals on a .500 shots-on-goal percentage, and notched three game-winning goals against UAB, Florida Atlantic, and St. Mary's.
In that same Memphis semifinal, Durden pushed the ball ahead to Bailey for the 86th-minute score, then netted the game-tying goal herself in the 88th minute to force overtime. She earned American All-Tournament Team honors.
What's next
UTSA opens the 2026 season Wednesday, August 12, hosting Texas State at Park West Athletics Complex in San Antonio. Before that, the Roadrunners host a ticketed exhibition against Texas at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 5 ($27 general admission).
Regular-season tickets run $12 for adults and $10 for youth, seniors, and military. Season tickets are $70.
The 2026 American Women's Soccer Championship runs Nov. 8-14 in Lakewood Ranch, Florida. Head coach Derek Pittman enters his ninth season leading the program.
