Tag Archives: miners soccer

Behind second-half goals from Tessa Carlin (52′) and Jackie Soto (58′), the UTEP soccer team raced past NAIA program the University of the Southwest, 2-0, at University Field Tuesday evening.

Carlin, Lauren Crenshaw, Ayana Noel and Soto all were credited with assists for the Miners (5-2-2), who improved to 3-1-1 at home. Andrea Martinez registered 11 saves for the Mustangs (3-4). USW also had two team saves.

The Miners had significant advantages in shots (25-11), shots on goal (15-2) and corner kicks (7-1). Emily Parrott made a pair of first-half saves to record her third shutout of the season.

“We came out really strong defensively in the second half,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “We didn’t even let them out of their half the first 15 minutes, and we found two goals. Hard work defensively leads to offensive opportunities, and if there’s one thing to take from tonight that would be it.”

Parrott corralled Priscilla Garcia’s long-distance blast in the 20th minute. UTEP went on the offensive four minutes later, with a thru ball sending Carlin in past the offside trap. She raced in alone only to have her shot deflect off the post. In the scramble the Orange and Blue earned a corner, and then another.

Emerson Kidd’s header off the corner service sailed wide in the 26th minute.

Kam Fisher had a partial breakaway but the defense tracked her down to set up a corner in the 38th minute. Nicole Pugsley’s header bested Martinez but was cleared off the line for a team save.

The loose change came back to her and this time her shot was denied by Martinez.

Jojo Ngongo vied to put the Miners on the board in the final minute of the opening frame but Martinez took the ball off her foot in a one vs. one situation.

The Orange and Blue pressured at the onset of the second stanza, with Lauren Crenshaw firing a shot that required Martinez to make a leaping save. UTEP had another chance in the 49th minute but Kidd’s try from a free kick was turned away.

UTEP broke through in the 52nd minute. Soto played the ball to Crenshaw, who crossed it to Carlin. She one-timed home the shot past Martinez from point-blank range. The Miners kept the pressure on after the goal, forcing two saves in 30 seconds on their next possession.

Carlin was in search of her second tally of the tilt in the 56th minute but Martinez deflected a shot wide with a dive.

A minute later the Miners did make it 2-0. The ball was played ahead by Carlin to Noel, who deftly touched a cross into the area. Soto tracked it down and tucked it away into the left corner of the net for her first goal of the season.

It nearly became 3-0 in the 71st minute with a blast off a free kick by Nicole Pugsley clanking off the crossbar. Three minutes later Martinez turned away Moe Sais from right in front of the goal.

The rebound bounced to Adrianna Jimmerson, but USW came up with another team save.

UTEP will return to the pitch when it plays host to FIU in its Conference USA opener at 11 a.m. MT Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234.​

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

The UTEP soccer team (4-2-2) will play host to NAIA program the University of the Southwest (3-3) in its nonconference finale at 7 p.m. MT Tuesday.

“Tuesday will be a big final home nonconference game but also an opportunity for us to thank the wonderful faculty and staff here at UTEP,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “As a program we are blessed with a wonderful support staff to include professors, deans and faculty members. They are the real heroes who put in work that rarely gets acknowledged. Tuesday night will be an opportunity for us to say thank you.”

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234. As part of “Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night,” UTEP faculty and staff may purchase a ticket for $3 by showing their ID at the ticket window.

Series History Vs. University Of The Southwest

This is the first meeting between the programs.

Quick Overview On University Of The Southwest

The University of the Southwest (NAIA) is 3-3 on the season, including drilling Sul Ross State, 5-1, on Sept. 7. They have been idle since that match since a scheduled contest against UTPB for Sept. 14 was postponed. Priscilla Garcia (five) and Karla Parra (three) have accounted for eight of the team’s 11 goals on the season.

Lauren Zarate (two) tops the squad in assists. Andrea Martinez has started every match in net, recording 33 saves while conceding nine goals.

All Good Things Come To A Close

UTEP’s five-match unbeaten streak was halted in a 2-1 setback at Utah Valley on Sept. 14. It marked the end of the longest such surge by the Miners during non-conference action in three years. UTEP was unbeaten through the first seven matches in 2016.

Getting After It On Defense

UTEP has kept five of its eight foes to one goal or less, including recording a pair of shutouts. The Miners hadn’t allowed multiple tallies in five straight games before conceding a pair at Utah Valley on Sept. 14.

The five-contest surge was the longest in non-conference play at the school since also ripping off five straight such tilts in 2016.

Back Home

UTEP returns to University Field for a pair of matches this week, locking up with the University of the Southwest (7 p.m. MT Tuesday) and FIU (11 a.m. MT Sunday). The Miners have won back-to-back home contests and are 2-1-1 overall in the Sun City in 2019. They have a +2 (7-5) goal differential in those four matches.

Starting It Off Well

UTEP (4-2-2) is assured of a winning record in non-conference play regardless of the outcome of Tuesday’s match. The Miners will now have posted a winning mark in non-league action for the 17th time in the past 18 years, with 2017 (4-5) being the exception.

Three-Headed Attack

Lauren Crenshaw (three), Danielle Carreon (two) and Jojo Ngongo (two) have provided eight of UTEP’s 12 goals on the season. Crenshaw and Carreon also share the squad lead for game-winning tallies with one each. Kam Fisher, Kori Loris, Jackie Miler, Ayana Noel and Nicole Pugsley each have one goal in 2019.

Close Calls

Seven of UTEP’s eight games have been decided by one goal or less. There have been two ties and five contests with a one-goal differential. The Miners are 3-2 in the situation this year. The lone contest to be a larger final margin was a 2-0 victory against Southern Utah (9/8/19).

Looking Ahead

UTEP will open up its 10-match Conference USA slate when it plays host to FIU at 11 a.m. MT Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234. It will mark the first time that the Miners will have kicked off C-USA action at home since 2013.

Freshmen Power

UTEP has 11 true freshmen on the roster in 2019, its highest total since carrying 14 in 2000. The newcomers comprise nearly half of the squad (11 of 24). Nine of them have earned playing time thus far in 2019, including five who have secured at least one starting nod.

Youth Served In Goal

For the first time since 2008, UTEP is relying exclusively on a freshman goalkeeper. Newcomers Zoey Lopez (Montwood HS) and Emily Parrott (Lone Star HS) have both seen action. Parrott has started seven of eight matches, making 23 saves and recording two shutouts.

Lopez had a quartet of saves before getting injured in the match against Abilene Christian (8/25/19).

Balogun’s History Of Success In League Play

First-year head coach Kathryn Balogun has a history of success in conference action. During her five seasons (2014-18) at the helm of Texas Southern, she compiled a record of 31-13-7 in Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) contests. Her squad produced winning marks in SWAC action and advanced to the league tournament in all five seasons.

The Basic Facts

UTEP is in its 24th season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 258-177-36. The Miners (4-2-2) are under the direction of first-year head coach Kathryn Balogun. She is assisted by Stewart Givens and Kate Ward and volunteer assistant coach Michael Balogun.

UTEP Soccer on Social Media

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

OREM, Utah- Jackie Miller (29′) scored her first career goal but homestanding Utah Valley snuck past UTEP, 2-1, Saturday evening.

The Wolverines (3-4) used an own goal (15′) and a late tally by Juliana Carter (88′) to halt the Miners’ (4-2-2) five-match unbeaten streak.

Emily Parrott was called upon for the first time in the 11th minute, tracking and smothering the shot by Amber Tripp. Two minutes later UTEP was on the offensive with Lauren Crenshaw’s powerful shot being handled by Allie Jara.

UVU got on the board as result of an own goal in the 15th minute. A ball was crossed into the area where it deflected off the knee of Cayla Payne and unfortunately ended up in the back of the net.

Crenshaw vied for the equalizer shortly thereafter, but her shot was errant. The close calls manifested into a goal in the 29th minute. Off a free kick, Miller’s service bounced and skipped past Jara for her first career tally.

Vanessa Cabello created the first chance for the Miners in the second half, but her shot sailed right of the frame in the 57th minute. A minute later Tessa Carlin’s shot forced a tough save by Jara.

The Miners earned their second corner of the contest in the 75th minute, but they could not convert.

Adrianna Jimmerson tried one from the top right portion of the box but the attempt was turned away by Jara in the 86th minute. About two minutes later there was a cross into the box that was headed down on a pass by a UVU player before Carter tapped home the loose change for the home side.

UTEP pressured after the goal but couldn’t find the equalizer in the waning minutes.

The Orange and Blue will wrap up nonconference play at home against the University of the Southwest (N.M.) at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234.

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

LAS CRUCES, N.M.- Senior Lauren Crenshaw (107′) scored with a little more than three minutes to play in the contest to lift UTEP to a 2-1 double-overtime win at NM State Thursday afternoon.

The Miners (4-1-2) have now won three straight games while also extending their unbeaten streak to five (4-0-1).

“I’m just really excited and happy for the girls,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “One of our principles is grit, and they found a way to win this game.”

The Aggies (1-3-2) got on the board off a penalty kick by Shea O’Connor (20′) but UTEP would not wilt. It found the equalizer in the 75th minute on a goal by Jojo Ngongo, with Emerson Kidd and Adrianna Jimmerson being credited with assists on the play.

The Miners held a 23-12 advantage in shots, including 7-3 advantage for shots on goal. Freshman GK Emily Parrott was credited with two saves, with the lone blemish coming on the PK.

Tessa Carlin had a great look in fourth minute but her shot was gobbled up by Dmitri Fong. A minute later NM State was on the offensive where Parrott turned away the chance by Hannah Leitner.

Crenshaw fired one from distance that forced a leaping save by Fong in the 13th minute.

A handball in the box gave NM State a penalty kick in the 20th minute. O’Connor converted the golden opportunity past Parrott. UTEP controlled play over the final 25 minutes of the period, accounting for four of the five shots and the only corner in the stretch.

UTEP came out with good energy in the second half, generating a pair of shots in the first four minutes. It also had a corner kick in the 52nd minute, but couldn’t convert.

Kam Fisher deftly moved past a defender in the 67th minute, but her shot whistled just wide. UTEP’s persistent pressure paid dividends in the 75th minute. Kidd played a ball ahead to Jimmerson, who sent it to a streaking Ngongo. The sophomore one-timed the shot into the left corner of the goal past a diving Fong.

Danielle Carreon forced Fong to make a save two minutes later, and then again in the 86th minute. Overall UTEP outshot NM State, 12-2, in the second half.

The Orange and Blue created the first opportunity of the overtime period with a spin-around shot from Tessa Carlin being blocked. The Aggies generated three shots in the frame, two of which were blocked. The other was wide of the net.

UTEP picked up its intensity in the second overtime stanza, with most of the action being contested in NM State’s portion of the field. The golden goal came with about three minutes remaining. UTEP was in possession deep in NM State territory when a bouncing ball came to Crenshaw. She blasted a hard shot that deflected off a defender but still had enough juice on it to end up in the back of the net for her team-leading third goal of the season.

UTEP will look to keep things rolling when it plays at Utah Valley at 7 p.m. MT Saturday.

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

The surging UTEP soccer team (3-1-2) will hit the road to lock up with I-10 rival NM State (4 p.m. MT Thursday) and Utah Valley (7 p.m. MT Saturday). 

“Thursday will be a big I-10 rivalry game at NM State,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “To increase the stakes both teams come into the game on multiple-game unbeaten streaks, which will be fun. Then we turn around and head to Utah for a good game in a great stadium at Utah Valley. It is going to be really important as we move into these last nonconference games that we start to focus on the immediate task at hand, both on and off the field.”

The Miners are riding a four-match unbeaten streak (3-0-1), including a perfect 2-0 mark on their most-recent homestand.

Series History Vs. NM State

UTEP is 7-1 all time against I-10 rival NM State, including a 2-1 advantage when playing in Las Cruces, N.M. The Miners drilled the Aggies, 4-1, at home last season (9/23/18). NM State’s lone win in the series came two years ago (8/18/17), when it emerged victorious, 2-1, in double overtime at home.

Series History Vs. Utah Valley

UTEP leads the series with Utah Valley, 6-3, but the two sides haven’t locked up since the 2015 season. The Miners posted a 1-0 win that year.

Quick Overview On NM State

NM State is 1-2-2 on the year, but it is unbeaten (1-0-1) over the past two matches. The Aggies have been outscored, 10-5, on the season, with that figure hindered by a 4-0 deficit in the first half of contests this year. Oregon State transfer Shea O’Connor has accounted for a team-leading two goals while Xitlaly Hernandez tops the team in assists (two).

Dmitri Fong has started all five matches in goal, making 32 saves on 42 shots on target. NM State finished 2-16 last year but they were 9-10-1 in 2017.

Quick Overview On Utah Valley

Utah Valley got off to a 2-2 start but it has dropped back-to-back matches, including falling at Santa Clara, 5-0, last time out on Sept. 8. It is 2-0 on the season at home (+3 goal differential) and 0-4 on the road (-9 goal differential). Amber Tripp is responsible for three of the team’s five goals on the season. Allie Jara has earned the bulk of playing time in net, recording 18 saves on 24 shots on goal.

On A Roll

UTEP is riding a four-match unbeaten streak (3-0-1), having outscored the opposition by a count of 6-2 during the surge. Six different players have scored and freshman GK Emily Parrott has made 12 saves on 14 shots on goal during the stretch.

Strong Start

The Miners enter this week at 3-1-2 on the year, their best record through six games since 2016 (4-0-2). They have a +3 goal differential (9-6), in addition to advantages for shots (75-70) and shots on goal (36-28).

Smothering Defense

UTEP posted its second shutout of the season during its 2-0 win against Southern Utah on Sept. 8. The Miners didn’t allow a shot on goal in the game, marking the first time they’ve pulled that off since a season-opening win against NM State in 2009.

Road Success

UTEP went 1-0-1 on its first road trip of 2019, emerging victorious 2-1 at Grand Canyon (8/29/19) and playing to a scoreless draw at UTRGV (9/1/19). The strong play allowed the Miners to stand unbeaten on the road through two matches for the first time since 2013 (5-0-1, finished 6-2-1).

Balanced Attack

UTEP has relied on a balanced offensive approach in 2019, with seven different Miners accounting for the team’s nine goals. Seniors Danielle Carreon and Lauren Crenshaw are tied for the squad lead with two tallies while Kam Fisher, Kori Loris, Jojo Ngongo, Ayana Noel and Nicole Pugsley also have found the back of the net.

Freshmen Power

UTEP has 11 true freshmen on the roster in 2019, its highest total since carrying 14 in 2000. The newcomers comprise nearly half of the squad (11 of 24). Nine of them have earned playing time thus far in 2019, including five who have secured at least one starting nod.

Youth Served In Goal

For the first time since 2008, UTEP is relying exclusively on a freshman goalkeeper. Newcomers Zoey Lopez (Montwood HS) and Emily Parrott (Lone Star HS) have both seen action. Parrott has started five of six matches, making 18 saves and recording two shutouts. Lopez had a quartet of saves before getting injured in the match against Abilene Christian (8/25/19).

Getting It Done In League Play

First-year head coach Kathryn Balogun has a history of success in conference action. During her five seasons (2014-18) at the helm of Texas Southern, she compiled a record of 31-13-7 in Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) contests. Her squad produced winning marks in SWAC action and advanced to the league tournament in all five seasons.

The Basic Facts

UTEP is in its 24th season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 257-176-36. The Miners (3-1-2) are under the direction of first-year head coach Kathryn Balogun. She is assisted by Stewart Givens and Kate Ward and volunteer assistant coach Michael Balogun.

UTEP Soccer on Social Media

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

Sophomores Nicole Pugsley (22′) and Ayana Noel (51′) each scored their first career goal, and the defense did the rest in UTEP’s 2-0 win against Southern Utah Sunday afternoon.

“I’m super excited about the shutout,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “We also got two good goals and finished out another one for the weekend. It was a really good home weekend for us. We had some really good in the run of play goals.”

The Miners (3-1-2) outshot the Thunderbirds (0-5-0), 16-5, including 9-0 in shots on target.

It marked the first time since a season-opening win in 2009 against NM State that UTEP didn’t allow a shot on goal.

The effort extends UTEP’s unbeaten streak to four (3-0-1), including two wins in three days at home this weekend. The Orange and Blue have outscored the opposition, 6-2, during the surge. Tessa Carlin was credited with her team-leading fourth assist of the year while Emily Parrott recorded her second shutout of the season.

UTEP created the first opportunity of the contest when Jojo Ngongo tried a shot from the near post that was gobbled up Southern Utah’s GK Brianna Aldridge.

Emerson Kidd took a shot that was blocked over the line to give the Miners a corner kick in the 21st minute. She then served it into the box where a Southern Utah clearing attempt failed. Pugsley blasted a bouncing ball that Aldridge got her hands on, but it had enough force to end up in the back of the net.

The Miners had a golden opportunity to extend the lead when Lauren Crenshaw got sprung on the right wing. She laced a shot that clanked off the crossbar and then was cleared away in the 31st minute. Four minutes later Jackie Soto forced Aldridge to punch a shot over the bar with a leaping effort. UTEP couldn’t convert on the ensuing corner kick.

UTEP pressured at the onset of the second half, with Carlin firing a shot just over the frame. Crenshaw’s attempt was saved by Aldridge in the 51st minute. The Miners quickly repossessed and made it 2-0 when Noel used a sliding shot to bury a cross from Carlin.

Carlin was in search of her own goal in the 61st minute, but she pushed the shot just wide. Kam Fisher showed good touch with a thru ball toward a streaking Ngongo. Aldridge cut down the angle to make the point-blank save in the 78th minute.

Southern Utah registered a trio of shots down the stretch, but couldn’t get one target with UTEP’s pressure causing it fits.

The Miners will look to keep things going when they play at I-10 rival NM State at 4 p.m. MT Thursday.

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

Behind goals from Lauren Crenshaw (45′) and Kam Fisher (79′), the UTEP soccer team rallied past previously undefeated Texas State for a 2-1 win at University Field Friday evening.

Emerson Kidd and Jogo Ngongo were credited with assists for the Miners (2-1-2), who pushed their unbeaten streak to three by handing the Bobcats (4-1) their first loss of the year. Freshman GK Emily Parrott recorded three saves to pick up the win. UTEP had a 14-10 advantage in shots, including 8-4 in shots on goal.

Mackenzie Smith (20′) scored for the visitors.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “We found ourselves down, but we didn’t panic and found a way to dig one out in the last minute of the first half. We then got one in the second half. Texas State put us under a lot of pressure, but we handled it well. The team has showed continuous improvement to handle pressure when teams bring it. I’m really pleased with that.”

A great thru ball into space sent Ngongo in from the left wing in the 11th minute. She controlled the pass and sent the shot in on net where it was corralled by Heather Martin in the 11th minute.

The visitors struck first with a goal off a corner kick in the 20th minute. Renny Moore’s service into the area was hammered home on a header by Smith, putting the Miners down 1-0.

Parrott recorded her first save of the match by fighting off a shot from Jordan Kondikoff in the 33rd minute. UTEP then went on the offensive in search of the equalizer but Jackie Soto was denied by Martin. Seven minutes late Soto was on the attack again. She tracked down a long pass only to have her sliding shot attempt turned away by Martin, who flew off the line to prevent a complete breakaway.

The Miners’ persistent pressure paid off with the game-tying goal in the final minute of the half. Off a free kick Kidd’s left-footed service into the box was headed off the crossbar by Adriana Lopez. In the scramble to clear the ball, the Bobcats dragged down a Miner player in the box to set up a penalty kick. Crenshaw stepped to the spot and calmly blasted the shot into the right corner to pull her squad even.

UTEP continued to force the issue at the onset of the second half, earning a corner kick and registering two shots two minutes into the frame. Ayana Noel directed one on target that was gobbled up by Martin in the 52nd minute. Soto’s header was stopped in the 59th minute.

Parrott did well to stave off a heavy shot from Kaylee Davis in the 61st minute. The home side was back on the offensive with a one-time shot from Soto requiring a leaping save from Martin in the 70th minute. She punched it over the frame, and UTEP was unable to take advantage on the ensuing corner kick.

UTEP broke through for the go-ahead tally in the 79th minute. Kidd sent the ball ahead to Ngongo, who took it to the left corner of the box. She drew in the defense and crossed it to a streaking Fisher, who one-timed it home past a diving Martin. ​

The Miners showed poise and class in closing out Texas State. UTEP played balls to the corner and emphasized possession to limit Texas State to one shot one goal in the final 12 minutes of action.

The Miners will wrap up the weekend at home by playing host to Southern Utah at 12 p.m. MT Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids.

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

The UTEP soccer team (1-1-2) will put its two-match unbeaten streak (1-0-1) on the line when it plays host to Texas State (7 p.m. MT Friday) and Southern Utah (12 p.m. MT Sunday) this weekend.

“It’s always good to be home in front of our fans,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “We want to give the fans two good games this weekend. As we continue to grow as a team it is going to be important that we not only start strong but finish strong.”

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234.

Series History Vs. Texas State

UTEP is 11-2-1 all time against Texas State. The Miners are riding a five-match unbeaten streak against the Bobcats, including a 1-0 win on Sept. 4, 2016, in their most-recent contest.

Series History Vs. Southern Utah

UTEP has won all three prior matches with Southern Utah. The two programs squared off three straight seasons from 2012-14, with the most-recent result being a 4-0 Miner victory on Sept. 5, 2014.

Quick Overview On Texas State

Texas State has surged out of the gates at 4-0 on the season, aided by three shutouts. All four of the wins have been by one goal, including a 2-1 overtime triumph against Houston Baptist last time out (9/1/19). The Bobcats have reached double digits in wins in four of the past five seasons.

Kaylee Davis paces the attack with three goals while Genesis Turman and Bailey Peschel each have one tally. Heather Martin has started three of four games in net, making 10 saves while conceding just one goal.

Quick Overview On Southern Utah

Southern Utah has been saddled with an 0-3 start to the season, including falling 1-0 against California Baptist last time out (9/1/19). The Thunderbirds have been shut out in all three of their matches while conceding a total of 12 goals. They finished 2-15-1 last year, with both wins coming at home.

Balanced Attack

Four different Miners have found the back of the net in 2019. Senior Danielle Carreon has a pair of goals to lead the team while senior Lauren Crenshaw, senior Kori Lewis and sophomore Jojo Ngongo have also scored.

Getting Defensive

After conceding a pair of goals in back-to-back games to start the season, the Miners allowed one tally total in two road contests last week. UTEP won, 2-1, at GCU (8/29/19), with the goal coming off a penalty kick. The Miners followed that up by posting their first shutout of the season while playing to a scoreless draw at UTRGV (9/1/19).

Freshmen Power

UTEP has 11 true freshmen on the roster in 2019, its highest total since carrying 14 in 2000. The newcomers comprise nearly half of the squad (11 of 24). Ten of them have earned playing time thus far in 2019, including five who have secured at least one starting nod.

Youth Served In Goal

For the first time since 2008, UTEP is relying exclusively on a freshman goalkeeper. Newcomers Zoey Lopez (Montwood HS) and Emily Parrott (Lone Star HS) have both seen action. Parrott has started three of four matches, making 15 saves and recording one shutout. Lopez had a quartet of saves before getting injured in the match against Abilene Christian (8/25/19).

Getting It Done In League Play

First-year head coach Kathryn Balogun has a history of success in conference action. During her five seasons (2014-18) at the helm of Texas Southern, she compiled a record of 31-13-7 in Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) contests. Her squad produced winning marks in SWAC action and advanced to the league tournament in all five seasons.

The Basic Facts

UTEP is in its 24th season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 255-176-36. The Miners (1-1-2) are under the direction of first-year head coach Kathryn Balogun. She is assisted by Stewart Givens and Kate Ward and volunteer assistant coach Michael Balogun.

UTEP Soccer on Social Media

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

EDINBURG, Texas- Freshman GK Emily Parrott recorded four saves to help the UTEP soccer team play to a scoreless draw at UTRGV Sunday afternoon.

“I’m very proud of the team’s hard work to close out both games this weekend,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “I’m really pleased with the girls for earning their first shutout of the year against a quality opponent in UTRGV. It was a tough weekend on the road with three time zones and two tough games. There are a lot of positives to take away this weekend.”

The Miners (1-1-2) recorded four shots on goal against the Vaqueros (2-1-1). UTEP’s defense also stepped up to fight off nine corner kicks by the home side.

It was a defensive-minded first half for UTEP, which accounted for both shots on goal in the frame. Tessa Carlin unleashed a blast that Vaquero GK Kinga Szemik handled in the 22nd minute. Two minutes later off the hydration break a ball was played ahead to Ayana Noel. She tracked it down and fired a shot from just inside the box but Szemik tracked it well to make the save.

All three corner kicks in the opening half were by the home side, including back-to-back services in the 17th minute, but the Orange and Blue defense fought them off.

Parrott snuffed out a chance two minutes into the second half by using good anticipation to cut off a cross across the goal mouth. In the 48th minute a shot from Elina Seppala was deflected as is screamed in on net, but Parrott showed off tremendous reflexes to save it by jabbing out her knee.

Lauren Crenshaw tried a shot from distance that was tracked well and saved by Szemik in the 57th minute. Parrott came up big with consecutive saves on respective shots by Emily Zapata and Maya Chitman in the 72nd minute. UTEP then fended off the corner kick.

The Miners secured a corner of their own in the 85th minute, but they couldn’t convert. UTEP had another opportunity with a free kick from the top of the box in the final minute of regulation, but the shot sailed high.

The Orange and Blue created good pressure at the onset of overtime, earning a corner kick. The ball was served into the area but it couldn’t be finished.

UTRGV’s best chance in the first OT was wiped away after UTEP caught it offside following a free kick.

In the second OT stanza the Miners’ defense came up big by blocking away a pair of shots. UTEP then raced up the pitch in the final minute of the contest but Szemik came off her line to clear away a potential chance.

UTEP will look to push its unbeaten streak to three hwen it plays host to Texas State at 7 p.m. MT Friday. The Miners will then wrap up the weekend at home against Southern Utah at 12 p.m. MT on Sept. 8. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234.

The UTEP soccer team will hit the road for the first time in 2019 with matches at GCU (8 p.m. MT Thursday) and at UTRGV (12 p.m. MT Sunday).

“This weekend will be two good games on the road,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “Up first will be GCU, which also had a tough loss on Sunday. We expect them to come out very strong Thursday in their home opener. It will be a good test of how we come back and execute our gameplan. We will then make the trip across the state to UTRGV, which always has a good team and did really well in the WAC last year. Both of these games are an opportunity for us to introduce our younger players to the travel demands present in C-USA.”

The Miners (0-1-1) will be on the road for four of the next six contests, including this week’s tilts against the Lopes (1-1-0) and the Vaqueros (1-1-0).

Keeping It Tight

UTEP trailed for a combined total of six minutes and 29 seconds (out of 200 minutes) during its opening week of action against Wyoming (T, 2-2, 8/22/19) and Abilene Christian (L, 2-1, 8/25/19). The Miners led for 62 minutes against ACU, compared to being behind for one minute and 15 seconds. In the tilt vs. Wyoming, UTEP was down for a total of five minutes and 14 seconds.

Long Time Coming

Senior Kori Lewis scored her first career goal in the match-up with ACU on Aug. 25. The tally came in her 51st career game. It marked the initial time since 2013 (Kenah Linger) that a three-year Miner letter winner produced their first goal during their senior season. Ashleigh Decker (2006) and Kat McShane (2002) are also members of the unique club at the school.

Making Plays

Freshman Tessa Carlin registered an assist against both Wyoming (8/22/19) and ACU (8/25/19). She becomes the first Miner to have at least one helper in each of the first two games of the season since Skye Schultz also did so in 2012.

Series History Vs. Grand Canyon

UTEP has won all three previous meetings with GCU, including posting a 2-1 victory (8/31/18) last season. Thursday’s contest will be the second between the programs to take place in Phoenix.

Series History Vs. UTRGV

UTEP is 1-1 against UTRGV, with both prior matches coming at University Field. The Miners won the first meeting, 1-0, in 2016 (9/18/16) but were upended at home, 3-2, last year (8/26/18).

Quick Overview On GCU

GCU is 1-1 on the year after splitting its road trip through the “Sunshine State” to start the season. The Lopes knocked off Stetson, 1-0, in their season opener (8/22/19) before being drilled by Conference USA member Florida Atlantic, 7-1 (8/25/19).

They played the final 30 minutes with 10 individuals after a red card, conceding three tallies in that time frame. GCU returned seven starters and 15 letter winners overall from last year’s team (6-13-2).

Quick Overview On UTRGV

UTRGV is off to a 1-1 start on the season, including stomping Alabama State, 6-0, last time out (8/24/19). Sarah Bonney (three) and Emily Zapata (two) have provided the bulk of the scoring.

The Vaqueros brought back eight starters and 18 letter winners overall from last year’s team (12-6-3). The 12 overall wins established a program record while UTRGV also posted its best finish in WAC (tied for second) after going 6-1-1 in league play.

The Basic Facts

UTEP is in its 24th season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 254-176-35. The Miners (0-1-1) are under the direction of first-year head coach Kathryn Balogun. She is assisted by Stewart Givens and Kate Ward and volunteer assistant coach Michael Balogun.

UTEP has 11 true freshmen on the roster in 2019, its highest total since carrying 14 in 2000. The newcomers comprise nearly half of the squad (11 of 24). Eight of the newcomers earned playing time on the pitch in UTEP’s opening weekend, including five who earned at least one starting nod.

For the first time since 2008, UTEP is relying exclusively on a freshman goalkeeper. Newcomers Zoey Lopez (Montwood HS) and Emily Parrott (Lone Star HS) both started a match in the opening week of action, combining for 10 total saves (six by Parrott, four by Lopez).

First-year head coach Kathryn Balogun has a history of success in conference action. During her five seasons (2014-18) at the helm of Texas Southern, she compiled a record of 31-13-7 in Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) contests.

Her squad produced winning marks in SWAC action and advanced to the league tournament in all five seasons.

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

Senior Kori Lewis tallied her first career goal (9′) but visiting Abilene Christian received a pair of second-half strikes from Natalie Jones (71′ and 89′) to sneak past UTEP, 2-1, at University Field Sunday afternoon.

Tessa Carlin and Haley Vaughan were credited with assists on Lewis’s goal. Zoey Lopez (four) and Emily Parrott (two) combined to register six saves for the Miners (0-1-1). Erin Smith delivered five saves for the Wildcats (2-0-0).

“There’s a lot of good things we can take from today but there was obviously some frustration at the end,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “Our response needs to be a little bit better. We have to get better at closing out games. When we have the situation in hand, we have got to keep it that way.”

UTEP got on the board in the ninth minute. The Miners strung together passes from Carlin and Vaughan to set up Lewis in the box. She took one dribble to compose herself before slicing a shot into the lower, left corner past Smith.

The Wildcats earned their first corner kick in the 12th minute, but UTEP fought it off. Midway through the stanza a foul on UTEP gave ACU a look on a set piece but Lopez left her line to take care of the service with a quality punch.

The Miners earned a pair of corners in the frame, but couldn’t take advantage. ACU had another opportunity in the 41st minute, but Jackie Miller cleared the service away with a header.

Lopez asserted herself well in the opening minute of the second half, using picture-perfect technique in a one vs. one sliding save to snuff out the opportunity for Samantha Vestal. UTEP looked to push its advantage to 2-0 in the 52nd minute but Jojo Ngongo’s shot was secured by Smith. Lauren Crenshaw then created a scoring chance only to have her shot blocked by the ACU defense. UTEP couldn’t capitalize on the ensuing corner kick.

Lopez delivered another save in the 58th minute, stoning Emily Heidman on a point-blank opportunity.

There was back-and-forth action in the 67th minute, with both keepers delivering quality saves to keep the score at 1-0 in favor of the home side. Lopez pushed a chance by Brooke Lenz high and off the crossbar.

Following the hydration break, ACU’s Jones found some space to work with and floated a shot past the outstretched hands of Parrott. Jones provided her second goal of the game in the waning minutes of the contest, intercepting a pass and taking it alone to bury a shot past Parrott.

UTEP will be back in action when it hits the road for the first time of the season with matches at GCU (8 p.m. MT Thursday) and UTRGV (12 p.m. MT Sept. 1).

For complete coverage of UTEP soccer, be sure to follow the Miners on social media at @UTEPSoccer (Twitter), @UTEPMinersSoccer (Instagram) and on Facebook or visit the official home of UTEP Athletics at UTEPMiners.com.

Lauren Crenshaw (88’) converted a penalty kick while Alyssa Palacios recorded six saves to highlight the action for the UTEP soccer team in an entertaining 2-1 setback in an exhibition game loss vs. Pacific 12 power Arizona at a steamy University Field Sunday afternoon.

The Wildcats received goals from Amanda Porter (31’) and Cali Crisler (79’) in order to get just enough offense to get past the Miners.

“Well we learned a lot,” UTEP head coach Kevin Cross said. “We have a real young team. We played one of the top teams in the country. We learned a lot from the game, got some real good experience. That will help prepare us for Friday (NM State) when it really counts. We got better as the game went on and got a lot of experience from young players who hadn’t played at this level. The defense was fairly good too.”

Shots (19-3) and corner kicks (4-1) favored the visitors but the Miners had much better possession in the second half. Plus over the 45 minutes the Orange and Blue accounted for the lone corner kick of the period and shots on goal stood 2-1 in favor of UA.

Cross did a good job of getting lots of playing time across the board, with 19 Miners earning time on the pitch.

UTEP will begin the season in earnest by venturing to Las Cruces to lock up with NM State (Aug. 18) in the First Light Federal Credit Union Battle of I-10. It is the first time since 2012 that UTEP will christen the campaign on the road.

UTEP’s home opener comes against Abilene Christian (Aug. 20) at 1 p.m. It will be the “Camper Reunion” game, with Miner soccer academy members getting in free. There will also be posters given away, prize packs, autographed gear and mini soccer balls.