TUESDAY
September 28, 2021 VOLUME 111 ISSUE 8 www.UniversityStar.com
DEFENDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT SINCE 1911
Star Snaps photo gallery SEE PAGE 2
Texas State fights spread of COVID-19 testing
Opinion: Texas State needs bigger restroom stalls
Soccer drops two games against South Alabama and Troy
SEE PAGE 4
SEE PAGE 6
SEE PAGE 7
silent infections, encourages
MERMAID PROMENADE
Third-time Mermaid Fest attendee Kay Abynante dressed as a purple and blue mermaid at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse. NATALIE RYAN
A woman in a mermaid themed costume dances with her silk fan veils at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse. RASIKA GASTI
Mermaids plunge into San Marcos at annual Mermaid Promenade By Sarah Hernandez Life and Arts Editor starlifeandarts@txstate.edu
Community members and mermaid-lovers gathered in downtown San Marcos on Saturday to celebrate the city's arts, culture, heritage and its biggest point of pride, the San Marcos River, at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade and Downtown Street Faire. The Mermaid Society of Texas, a San Marcos-based organization with a mission to advocate for the river, celebrate the arts and promote heritage and diversity, has hosted the Mermaid Fest to represent the best of San Marcos since 2016. The organization was founded in honor of the mermaids at Aquarena Springs Theme Park, a San Marcos attraction from the 1950s. "The mermaid is important to San Marcos because they are San Marcos," said Cory Glisson-Munier, president of the Mermaid Society. "They were the history of San Marcos and of Aquarena Springs. And that was a key part of our history that put San Marcos initially on the map." Mermaids, music and cheers from parade-goers filled the streets of The Square at the event's kickoff Saturday morning with the Mermaid Promenade. Following the parade, food vendors, small businesses and live music took up LBJ Drive and the Hays County Courthouse lawn for the Downtown Street Faire. With the pandemic canceling last year's festivities, Glisson-Munier said he loved seeing the community come together to celebrate its vibrancy and history after staying inside for so long. "We have people out here shopping, local artisans, we have the local businesses, we have people out here
People ride a butterfly themed bike at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse. DOUGLAS SMITH
just having a good time. They're enthusiastic, they're not at home sitting," Glisson-Munier said. "We're getting the chance to have a break from our pandemic and have a chance to slowly get back to engaging in life and celebrating our community. That's an important direction to go for us." Glisson-Munier said his favorite part of the day was seeing everyone, from college students to San Marcos locals, come together to celebrate the place they live. Texas State students like Paige Hayes and Priscilla Inostroza made up a portion of the parade's volunteers. Hayes and Inostroza are members of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) at Texas State and heard about the volunteering
opportunity from the organization's outreach coordinator. After getting to carry a banner in the parade, they were able to walk around and visit the various tents and tables throughout the festival, such as a vintage clothing tent and a plant stand. Inostroza, a wildlife biology junior, said she liked the feeling of being welcomed into the community through her duties as a volunteer. "It was a fun experience. We helped with the floats, and it was nice getting to participate in our community," Inostroza said. Hayes, an early childhood education senior, said being a part of the event was special to her and showed her how colorful San Marcos is. "I think it’s like seeing people that I know around town and seeing
vendors that I've seen before," Hayes said. "Everybody's been really kind and happy. I really love San Marcos because ... it's got a really good community feeling." Both Inostroza and Hayes said one of their favorite parts of the event was seeing festival attendees dressed in mermaid costumes decked out in glitter, gems and shells. One of those costumes belonged to Kay Abynante who was celebrating the mermaid festival for her third time dressed as a purple and blue mermaid. Although she's not from San Marcos, she said she loves driving down to catch the celebration every year. As a lover and collector of all things mermaid, Abynante was excited when she found out about the mermaid festival from Facebook a few years ago and said if she could live in San Marcos, she would. She loved seeing the community come together to celebrate the many things that make San Marcos great. "It just brings all these people here from all over, it brings the money to the community," Abynante said. "It's just — it's amazing bringing everybody together. It's neat to see all the little girls, you know, their smiles on their faces and it just means a lot to me." Sharing the same sentiment, Glisson-Munier loved seeing everyone smiling, dancing, meeting each other and enjoying all that the community has to offer. "It is absolutely the people," Glisson-Munier said. "This is what I always say, that San Marcos is not for any one of us, San Marcos is for all of us, and I truly believe that." For more information on the Mermaid Society of Texas and the annual celebration, visit its website at https://www.mermaidsocietysmtx.com.
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MULTMEDIA
Natalie Ryan Multimedia Editor starmultimedia@txstate.edu
Trinity Building 203 Pleasant St. San Marcos, TX 78666 (512) 245 - 3487
Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief: Brianna Benitez stareditor@txstate.edu News Editor: Timia Cobb starnews@txstate.edu Life & Arts Editor: Sarah Hernandez starlifeandarts@txstate.edu Opinion Editor: Hannah Thompson staropinion@txstate.edu
Time of Night Brass Band member Roosevelt Real Bradley sings at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse. NATALIE RYAN
Sports Editor: Sumit Nagar starsports@txstate.edu Design Editor: Viviana Faz stardesign@txstate.edu Multimedia Editor: Natalie Ryan starmultimedia@txstate.edu Engagement Editor: Eryka Thompson starengagement@txstate.edu Podcast Editor: Rasika Gasti starpodcast@txstate.edu
Public & Internal Relations Nadia Gonzales PIR Director starpr@txstate.edu
Full-Time Staff Director: Laura Krantz, laurakrantz@txstate.edu
About Us History: The University Star is the student newspaper of Texas State University and is published every Tuesday of the spring and fall and once a month in the summer semesters. It is distributed on campus and throughout San Marcos at 8 a.m. on publication days with a distribution of 3,000. Printing and distribution is by the New Braunfels HeraldZeitung. Copyright: Copyright Tuesday, September 28, 2021. All copy, photographs and graphics appearing in The University Star are the exclusive property of The University Star and may not be reproduced without the expressed written consent of the editor-in-chief. Deadlines: Letters to the Editor or any contributed articles are due on Monday the week prior to publication.
Texas State junior wide receiver Trevis Graham Jr. (14) catches the ball in the endzone during the game against Eastern Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Rynearson Stadium. The Bobcats lost 59-21. KATE CONNORS
Mermaid Society of Texas President Cory Glisson-Munier (right) sells t-shirts to customers at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse. NATALIE RYAN
A group from Total Wellness San Marcos dance in the street at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse. NATALIE RYAN
Mermaid Society of Texas present Juneteenth Foundation Founder and Chairman David Peterson the Heritage Award at the fifth annual Mermaid Promenade & Downtown Street Faire, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, outside the Hays County Historic Courthouse. NATALIE RYAN
Corrections: Any errors that are in the pages of The University Star and brought to our attention will be corrected as soon as possible. Visit The Star at universitystar.com
Texas State junior safety Peyton Tuggle (23) carries the American flag as the team enters the field before the game against Eastern Michigan, Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Rynearson Stadium. The Bobcats lost 59-21. KATE CONNORS
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NEWS
Timia Cobb News Editor starnews@txstate.edu
COVID-19
Texas State exercise and sports science major Sarah Clements (right) talks to Curative site lead Louis Espinoza (left), Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2020, at a COVID-19 testing booth by the Quad. Clements finished her test in under five minutes. DOUGLAS SMITH
Texas State fights the spread of silent infections, encourages COVID-19 testing By Timia Cobb News Editor starnews@txstate.edu
In an effort to keep its campus community safe from COVID-19, Texas State continues to push vaccinations, testing and the use of face masks. These measures have been recognized as the triumphs for preventing the spread of COVID-19, according to Student Health Center Director Dr. Emilio Carranco. Since March 2020, the university has worked to manage the transmission of COVID-19 across its campuses while also navigating obstacles along the way. Unlike other universities across the nation, Texas State cannot legally enforce a mask mandate due to Gov. Greg Abbott’s executive order, which prohibits state-funded institutions from implementing a mask mandate. The university also lost a COVID-19 testing kiosk in the last spring semester after Curative removed its site at the Student Health Center due to a decrease in testing. Carranco said Texas State set out to find an additional testing provider at the beginning of this semester. “We started working on trying to find a second vendor that could do that for us, and we were finally able to contact MD Diagnostic Labs, who was willing to come to our campus and provide free testing,” Carranco said. The additional testing site was initially located at the Student Recreation Center, but since there was not enough student traffic at that location to influence high testing numbers, Carranco said the university moved the site outside the LBJ Student Center this past week instead. He added there has already been a significant increase in testing because of the LBJ location. The difference between MD Diagnostic Labs and Curative is that MD Diagnostic Labs allows walk-up testing, while Curative asks individuals to pre-register online for an appointment. The two testing kiosks also offer different types of COVID-19 testing. Curative offers a nasal swab, and MD Diagnostic Labs offers an oral swab. Student Government Sen. Jackson Barr believed the university needed an additional testing site on campus to give people the flexibility to test anytime, rather than having to schedule an appointment beforehand. “It was very unpractical, to just have that one,” Barr said. “I am very happy that they're opening that second one which I saw briefly, as I go to the Rec every few days. I think this is one of the great things that the university has done so far is the opening of the second stand because it entices people to get their test.” Texas State is considering adding an online appointment option with MD Diagnostics Labs too. Carranco said the more testing that is done across the university community, the more information Bobcat Trace has to detect positive cases. With young adults tending to experience mild COVID-19 symptoms to no
symptoms at all, Carranco said it is though the protocols in the residential estimated that 40% of those infected halls are necessary. However, he is with the virus are unaware. worried about individuals who are at The university also distributes risk of contracting the virus and those random testing emails which, who are unvaccinated. Carranco said, provides important “I think really the people who are information used to determine what getting affected by this, are those the incidence of infection is and helps who are unvaccinated, or at risk and I identify silent infections on campus. think at-risk people are smart enough “We really push testing [because] to do something like commute or we want to find the silent infections,” something like that,” Canfield said. Carranco said. “It's important to find “So, I feel fine, I'm more annoyed them so that we can get them isolated, with the people who do not follow and we can identify close contacts and through, get [vaccinated] and stuff get them quarantined. That's how like that.” you break the chain of transmission, While there are limitations on by doing that as quickly as possible. what the Department of Housing So that's why the testing is really and Residential Life (DHRL) and important.” the university can enforce, Canfield Due to a test kit shortage, the believes doing what’s allowed and Curative testing kiosk by Flowers Hall necessary to keep people safe can be was only able to administer 1,836 the best thing during this time. tests the week of Aug. 30. Faculty, staff “The more stuff that we do to take and students who receive testing off- action, the better off everyone else is campus were going to be," encouraged Canfield said. to report As of now, positive cases to Jones said Bobcat Trace. there has Carranco said not been a the university cluster of still acquires positive cases reports from within any of off-campus Texas State’s testing sites, residence and the results halls, despite are included in the increase in its COVID-19 the number dashboard. of residents. D u r i n g “We've not LIAM CANFIELD residence hall been able to RESIDENT ASSISTANT AND ENGLISH move-in from identify any JUNIOR Aug.16-21, particular 1,468 rapid cluster in any antigen tests were administered with of our buildings,” Jones said. “Now 16 positive cases identified. There with that said, recognizing that last were 3,010 tests administered the first year, you know, our occupancy was week of school and 2,020 tests for the about 75-80%. This year we're up week of Sept. 13. in the 90s we’re about 97% to 98%. This semester, the university has also So, there's more people here now, but pushed to bring back pre-pandemic since then we still haven't seen any activities, such as residence hall events. clusters, you know, whether it's in a Herbert Jones, associate director of communal bathroom or anything." Housing and Residential Life, said DHRL doesn’t work hand-inresident assistants still have to follow hand with Bobcat Trace but they are a set of protocols from a community informed on who or who hasn’t tested engagement operational guide to positive and can assist in finding a ensure safety. place residents can quarantine if they "The first thing that we ask them to test positive. Jones said when a resident do prior to the program is to do a self- tests positive, they are not required to assessment in wellness and so, prior notify their resident assistant unless to attending an event, you know, talk they choose to do so. with the residents about encouraging Because transmission of COVID-19 them to form a self-assessment wellness is possible across campus, such as check," Jones said. "And we provide in classrooms or residence halls, the them with the link to the [Centers for university has 20 contact tracers who Disease Control and Prevention], and monitor transmission and send out so for them to click on a link to kind COVID-19 transmission notices of figure out if they have any of the daily. symptoms.” “What happens is the contact tracer Jones said resident assistants will send out a close contact notice, encourage residents to wear masks and that notice, which is sent through during social events but cannot email, contains all the information enforce them. To prevent the possible that the close contact needs in order spread of germs and COVID-19, the to understand what their quarantine hosted events tend to be in rooms period is, to understand how to with a large capacity where social quarantine,” Carranco said. distancing is an option or in outside While the university continues to areas. RAs are also given a 16.9-ounce offer free vaccinations, Carranco said bottle of hand sanitizer to use at their he hopes those who are vaccinated events. also understand it is still possible for As a resident assistant, Liam them to catch COVID-19 and infect Canfield, an English junior, feels as others.
“THE MORE STUFF THAT WE DO TO TAKE ACTION, THE BETTER OFF EVERYONE ELSE IS GOING TO BE,"
“We're seeing more and more vaccinated people who are getting infected,” Carranco said. "Now, the good news is that if they're vaccinated they're not very likely to develop severe illness, they're not likely to end up in the hospital, that's the good news. The bad news is that they can spread infection and that's exactly what we see sometimes. They're spreading infection to their family or their friends.” To encourage students to get vaccinated, Texas State launched an incentive program on Sept. 7. Through the program, students can win prizes such as $10 in Bobcat Bucks, $500 and a red parking permit for the spring semester. While Barr supports the university’s strive to increase vaccination rates across the campus community, he assumes the incentive program can only work if people want to get vaccinated, not because they are encouraged by a prize. “Texas State is a public institution, meaning that we have to live by the governor's mandate that says we can't require, necessarily, people to wear their masks, right, and so we need to encourage them or give incentives to people to get them vaccinated,” Barr said. “I have nothing to back this off though, this is just intuition, that that wouldn’t convince the people who are not already vaccinated, you know if they'd be won over by $10 or something. But, I think it's the best thing to do at the moment, the university, in terms of that one protocol.” Carranco agrees that some choose to not receive a vaccine for reasons that won’t change but the incentive program and spreading factual information can help encourage individauls to get vaccinated. “I think vaccinations have been widely available for a long time and I think the folks who wanted to get vaccinated did so fairly quickly," Carranco said. "We still have some people who, for whatever reasons, are hesitant and of course we have some people who just simply have decided they don't want to get vaccinated and, you know, I think what we want to do is to continue to share information with people so they can make an informed decision.” Since Sept. 19, Texas State has administered 11,732 vaccines to 6,485 individuals. Carranco said there has also been a decline in positive cases across campus. “If you look across the state, you see the same thing. You also see a decrease in hospitalizations," Carranco said. "So, it's very clear at this point that the worst of the surge is behind us, and that we're now going to see a period where the situation just continues to improve.” For more information on Texas State's COVID-19 response, visit the university's Roadmap to Return website at https://www.txstate.edu/coronavirus/ road-map.html.
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The University Star
OPINIONS
Hannah Thompson Opinion Editor staropinion@txstate.edu
Opinions in The University Star are not necessarily those of our entire publication, Texas State University’s administration, Board of Regents, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or Student Publications Board.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Letter to the Editor: Standing Up for Texans’ Freedoms & Against Vigilante Abortion Ban By: U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-San Marcos) On September 1st, state Republicans’ dangerous, radical vigilante law went into effect—designed to end Roe v. Wade protections in Texas, cutting off access to care for almost all across our state. For that great American cry “Let Freedom Ring,” Republicans here in Texas have substituted “let vigilantes run free.” In their draconian new law, Senate Bill 8, they encourage neighbor to spy on neighbor, and prop up vigilantes to take away individuals’ fundamental right to decide their own fate. Since it cuts off access to abortions for all after six weeks, it essentially stops access to abortion before many know they are pregnant, and makes access totally impossible for minors, who face longer approval processes and hurdles. This repellant law allows any anti-choice extremist to seek a minimum of $10,000 bounties on a driver, a physician, or anyone who may have offered counsel to a person in need. This law is such an incredible overreach that the first lawsuit was filed by an Arkansas man
convicted of tax fraud. You can walk into the Texas Capitol armed and mask-less unimpeded, but a patient cannot walk into a clinic un-accosted. To them, we say: Stop messing with Texans’ reproductive freedoms. Stop messing with the right to liberty and safety of pregnant people. I have been inspired by the student protestors who have stood in defense of the right to choose and against this extremist law, aimed at restricting freedom and further burdening vulnerable populations. As Bobcats like Riley Belcher have demonstrated and spoken out about this injustice, I am both impressed at their strong voices and disgusted that this bravery is required because of the relentless Republican assaults on freedom. Belcher made a strong point when she said: “I’m protesting for the safe and legal access to abortion. How can you say, “my body, my choice” when it comes to issues like public health and COVID, and then take away women's rights to choose?’” I’ve joined Bobcats at a recent Texas Capitol protest and also brought my protests to the halls of the U.S. Capitol. In the House Ways and
Means Committee, on which I serve, Texas Republican Rep. Kevin Brady introduced another amendment to further limit abortion access in federal health programs. I worked with my Democratic colleagues to successfully defeat that amendment, while decrying their relentless assault on Americans’ freedoms. The Biden Administration is defending Texans affected by the abortion ban in the courtroom, and we are working to defend them in Congress. Friday, in the House, we approved the Women’s Health Protection Act (WHPA), of which I am a sponsor, and which was coauthored by Texas Democrat Rep. Veronica Escobar. Though it faces long odds in the Senate with the filibuster blocking necessary progress on this, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and more, we will continue the struggle. Today’s fight isn’t just about abortion; Republicans have been attacking all reproductive care for years. Building new and higher walls to accessing contraception, family planning counseling, and medicallyappropriate sexual education. In the
meantime, they refuse to provide support during pregnancy and after— blocking legislation that would extend postpartum health coverage, provide paid family and medical leave, and expand access to child care. They may oppose mandates to protect public health during the worst pandemic in generations, but they rush to impose a mandate on parenthood. With this deeply personal and complex medical decision, we don't need Republicans in Texas or in Washington trapping someone into a permanent, life-altering future. Complete disregard for what her doctor may advise and indifference to her basic constitutional right to privacy and reproductive freedom. This will not stand. Rejecting the narrow-minded, GOP power-hungry, vigilante injustice, we will never give up and never give in. U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett (D-San Marcos) represents much of San Marcos in the House of Representatives.
ACCESSIBILITY
Texas State needs bigger restroom stalls By Jackie Broussard Opinion Contributor
I’ve been squished inside a bathroom stall since I started attending school and, as an adult, I refuse to be squished inside of a 36x60 inch space any longer. Being cramped inside a small stall is like being stuffed inside a box with a lid on it. In order to accommodate people of all sizes, Texas State needs to invest in constructing restroom stalls that are spacious and functional. When the average stall is cramped, it becomes more convenient to use the one gloriously large stall designated for people with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires institutions to have these large stalls to accommodate people with a disability. However, for some students, these stalls are also the only ones on campus with enough space to comfortably move around in. Khalidat Oloko, a nursing sophomore, said she prefers using the big stall due to the limited spacing inside the average stall. She said there, she’s not elbow to elbow, fighting to turn around in the stall. “I tend to use the bigger stalls instead of the regular ones,” Oloko said. “If they’re occupied, then I'd either wait or go into the regular one. Even then, it’s a hassle to fit both myself and my backpack inside.” The stalls at Texas State are typically so tiny, it sometimes feels like you end up having to lean against the toilet seat just to close the door. When restroom stalls are hard to maneuver around, the average restroom user may tend to gravitate toward the handicap-accessible stalls. This takes the use away from an individual who
Madison Ware
may actually need it. Those in wheelchairs or with motor disabilities are sometimes bound to only being able to use that one particular stall, but if it's occupied they don't have the convenience of using another stall. They have to wait until the larger stall becomes available, and that's if there isn't a line ahead of them. While they might not have to wait an extremely long time, the purpose of those stalls were made
to accommodate them, and it puts them at a disadvantage when they are unable to use them. Buildings on campus like Derrick Hall, which haven't seen renovations in years, feature restroom stalls that are small and extremely difficult to move around in. Having any type of belonging, such as a purse or backpack, can diminish the space from some to none. While other restrooms have been
remodeled, the main issue still lies in the spacing. Creating restrooms stalls with a bit more realistic spacing could be a good idea, similar to the individual restrooms designed for families. “I think that they should make the stalls bigger just to be more inclusive. If you think about it, having one accessible stall or one stall that is more accessible to people who do have disabilities or who are differentlyabled is the bare minimum,” Breana Miller, a Texas State alumna, said. “To even open that up to making the stalls slightly bigger, or even having more than one stall that is designated for people who are disabled or differentlyabled, will be a lot better.” This isn't to take away any credit from Texas State and say its done nothing when it comes to bettering the restrooms. Many restrooms on campus provide free hygienic accessories such as menstrual products. However, the lack of space and inconvenience that comes with small restroom stalls is an issue Texas State needs to look into. These compact restroom stalls are exclusive to students who need a little more space to take care of business. - Jackie Broussard is a journalism sophomore. The University Star welcomes Letters to the Editor from its readers. All submissions are reviewed and considered by the Editor-in-Chief and Opinion Editor for publication. Not all letters are guaranteed for publication.
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SPORTS
Sumit Nagar Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu
SOCCER
Texas State sophomore midfielder Mya Ulloa (8) battles against a Coastal Carolina player for possession of the ball, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats won 2-1 in overtime. KATE CONNORS
Soccer drops two games against South Alabama and Troy By Sumit Nagar Sports Editor starsports@txstate.edu Texas State Soccer (5-4-1 overall, 2-2 Sun Belt) lost its weekend doubleheader against the South Alabama Jaguars 3-0 on Sept. 24 and the Troy Trojans 1-0 on Sept. 26. The Bobcats came into the first matchup with a four-game winning streak. The Jaguars (6-3-1 overall, 2-1-1 Sun Belt) came into the contest with one of the strongest offenses in the Sun Belt, having scored 37 goals in eight games. The Bobcats tried to get ahead early as junior midfielder/forward Kiara Gonzales attempted a low-center shot in the second minute that, despite passing Jaguars’ freshman goalkeeper Jaidy Guiterrez Campos, was saved by a defender. The Jaguars took the next three shots. Sophomore goalkeeper Beth Agee saved the first two early, yet with the third shot, junior midfielder Gracie Wilson scored a goal assisted by fifth-year defender Deanna Green in the 23rd minute. Down 1-0, Texas State sophomore midfielder Mya Ulloa took two low shots but Guiterrez Campos saved both. The Jaguars took two shots toward the end of the first half but both were off target. Out of halftime, the Jaguars fired immediately out of the gate. They took four shots in the first 15 minutes. Agee saved the first, the next two were off-target but senior midfielder Morgan Cross headed in a goal with the fourth via an assist by sophomore midfielder/forward Sydney Ham in the 60th minute, going up 2-0. Ham and Cross connected for another goal going up 3-0 11 minutes later, with less than 20 minutes remaining in the contest. With the game all but over, the Bobcats took four shots in the final nine minutes. Ulloa launched a pair of low shots but Guiterrez Campos saved both. Ulloa missed outright with
Texas State junior forward Madison Humphrey (3) dribbles the ball upfield during the first half against Coastal Carolina, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats won 2-1 in overtime. KATE CONNORS
Texas State sophomore defender Alyssa Price (6) meets Texas A&MCorpus Christi freshman forward Megan Guy (28) at the ball, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, at Bobcat Soccer Complex. The Bobcats won 4-0. DOUGLAS SMITH
the third shot and junior midfielder Bailey Peschel missed the Bobcats’ final attempt over the top. The Bobcats took seven shots, five from Ulloa (four on goal). Agee finished with four saves. Now with their win streak snapped,
the Bobcats traveled to Troy, Alabama to play the Trojans (4-5-1 overall, 1-2 Sun Belt). Texas State hoped it could handle Troy’s struggling offense, scoring a mere 1.125 goals per game. Texas State took an opportunity early as Peschel took a shot in the
ninth minute, which was saved by Troy freshman goalkeeper Lindsey LaRoche. The Trojans attacked back as freshman forward Ella Owen missed a shot out left. Three minutes later Owen scored a goal assisted by freshman midfielder Riley Rojahn in the 14th minute, giving Troy a 1-0 lead. Ulloa and senior midfielder Hannah Solano each took a shot later in the half but LaRoche grabbed her second and third saves of the game. The Trojans looked to extend their lead with two shots at the end of the first period but both were off target. Texas State struggled with six offside calls in the first half. Troy took the first three shots of the second period, two saved by freshman goalkeeper Katelyn Chrisman and the other sailed out left. Down one goal with 15 minutes remaining in regulation, the Bobcats took a series of shots in hopes of tying the match. Junior midfielder Karlee Torisk took the first shot and Solano followed up immediately with an attempt, but LaRoche saved both. LaRoche grabbed her sixth save of the match as she stopped a shot from junior defender/forward Kamaria Williams in the 79th minute. Ulloa took an angled shot in the 87th minute that passed LaRoche but it was kicked out by a Trojans’ defender. Sophomore midfielder Alana Clark took the final shot in the 88th minute but it went out top left. Ulloa and Solano led the Bobcats with two shots apiece, all on goal. In total, Texas State took eight shots with seven on target. Chrisman had two saves in the contest. The Bobcats will continue their conference schedule at home against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at 7 p.m. on Oct. 1 and the ArkansasLittle Rock Trojans on Oct. 3. Both games will be played at Bobcat Soccer Complex and will air on ESPN+.
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