San Antonio FC defeated the University of the Incarnate Word 3-2 in a closed-door preseason match on Saturday afternoon. The game was the first for SAFC after the club opened training camp at the beginning of the week. A goal from midfielder Connor Presley and two from forward Alex Bruce was enough to seal the victory.

“Firstly, thanks to UIW for giving us a competitive game today,” said SAFC Head Coach Darren Powell. “We have a lot of things we can learn from both halves. The first half presented us some problems that we will solve over the next couple of weeks, and in the second half, I thought the group came out and gave a good account of themselves. It was nice to see Alex [Bruce] grab a couple of goals.”

SAFC fell behind by two goals in the first half after UIW opened the scoring on a breakaway prior to grabbing a goal off a set piece. After the break, San Antonio would score three unanswered goals, beginning with the first for Bruce after he capitalized on a pass from Mike Seth and volleyed the ball into the back of the net. Not long after the SAFC opener, Presley took advantage of a rebound following a Maxi Rodriguez shot, tapping the ball home to level the score. Bruce then sealed the victory after Presley’s run and cross from the left-hand side found the 19-year-old who calmly headed the ball past the UIW goalkeeper.

The match marked the first of seven preseason games for SAFC leading into the 2018 USL season. The Alamo City club will face FC Dallas (MLS) next Sunday in Frisco prior to leaving for their week-long trip to Arizona.

SAFC First Half XI: GK Restrepo; D Trialist, Hedrick, Trialist, Cochrane; M Roushandel, Escalante, Lopez, Castillo, Tyrpak; F Guzman

SAFC Second Half XI: GK Cardone (Johnston 25’); D Seth, Trialist, Trialist, Trialist; M Trialist, Rodriguez, Trialist; F Trialist, Bruce, Presley