Tag Archives: miners soccer

Cayman Tamez  has signed a national letter of intent to attend UTEP and compete with the Miner soccer program beginning with the 2020 fall season, UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun announced Thursday.

“We are excited for Cayman to join our program,” Balogun said. “She will compete with our team right away, but maybe even more importantly will fit the culture we are building here.  She’s most comfortable as a defensive center mid but has a lot of versatility and is constantly looking for ways to improve her game and team.”

Tamez has played and started in all 45 appearances with the LA Galaxy-San Diego Development Academy program over the last two years.  She grew up in Flower Mound, Texas, where she played ECNL with Solar, FC Dallas and D’Feeters Soccer club, later moving to California to train and compete with the LA Galaxy-San Diego as a freshman in high school.

She is also an All CIF honoree while competing with her high school, Tamez lives with her mom (Myre) and sister (Ceagan) and also has a brother (EJ)

Tamez says picked UTEP because of its soccer program and believes it will be a great fit on and off the field.

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

DENTON, Texas- Emily Parrott made a career-high seven saves while Jackie Soto (25′) found the back of the net but homestanding and second-seeded North Texas held off seventh-seeded UTEP, 3-1, in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Championships on Wednesday night.

The match was delayed for more than an hour due to lightning in the area, and actually conclude past midnight central time.

The Mean Green (13-5-1) received goals from Berklee Peters (20′, 63′) and Desiree Ramirez (43′) to stymie the Miners’ (10-7-3) upset bid. It still marked a bounce-back campaign for UTEP, which reached double figures in wins while also qualifying for the C-USA Championships for the first time in three years.

C-USA All-Freshman team honoree Tessa Carlin was credited with an assist on Soto’s goal.

“I can’t ask for any more from this group,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “They gave us everything they had, and left it all on the field. We will be back here. Don’t count us out!”

Parrott was called upon for the first time of the match in the fifth minute, making a diving save to her right to snare the shot by Allie Boyd. UTEP pressured in the 10th minute, with Kam Fisher’s shot sailing wide. Parrott came up big with a huge save on a point-blank shot from Elle Marie DeFrain in the 16th minute, denying her in a one-on-one situation.

UNT managed to get on the board in the 20th minute when Michelle Gonzalez fed it to Peters, who had snuck in behind the defense. Parrott left her line to cut down the angle but it was to no avail.

The Miners regrouped and almost equalized immediately. With UNT GK Kelsey Brann out of position on a scramble, Lilly Marquez blasted a shot that beat her but was saved on the line by a UNT defender in the 22nd minute.

Undeterred, the Miners continued to pressure and pulled even thanks to Carlin and Soto hooking up for a sensational sequence. The freshman played it into space, which Soto raced down. She then bested Brann at the near post to make it 1-1 in the 25th minute.

The Mean Green were able to pull ahead just prior to halftime, with Ramirez sneaking a shot past Parrott in the 43rd minute.

Parrott produced her third save of the contest in the opening minutes of the second half, turning away a shot from Defrain. Lightning then came into the area, forcing a delay of more than an hour. Parrott made two quick saves once action resumed before Carlin’s shot sailed wide in the 58th minute.

Jojo Ngongo vied to pull the squad even in the 61st minute only to have her shot be blocked.

UNT extended its advantage to 3-1 in the 63rd minute after Peters headed home a shot for her second goal of the game. UTEP went back to work after conceding the tally, with Soto being turned away on a shot from just outside the box.

The Miners continued to play hard down the stretch, but were unable to get any closer.

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.

DALLAS – Senior Lauren Crenshaw (All C-USA second team) and Tessa Carlin (C-USA All-Freshman Team) have been rewarded for their stellar seasons by earning accolades from Conference USA, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.

Crenshaw has now been recognized as an all-conference performer twice in her career (2017-third team), while the Miners have placed someone on the all-freshman team for seven straight years.

“I am glad that both Lauren and Tessa were recognized for the impact they had for not only our team but how others played our team,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “Lauren provides both athleticism and technical ability that pushed our players to be better day in and day out, but it also affected how other teams choose to defend us.  As a freshman, Tessa provided our offense with consistent assists and goals. She was also one of our hardest working attacking defenders all season. It is exciting to see these players recognized for the hard work they have put in this season.”

The duo’s play helped the Miners finish the regular season at 10-6-3, their first double-digit win total in three years. UTEP also punched its ticket to the C-USA Women’s Soccer Championships for the first time since 2016.

With Crenshaw’s play in the back, UTEP has registered seven shutouts while limiting six other opponents to only one goal. She has started 18 of 19 games, earning the fourth-most minutes among Miner field players.

She has also used her unique skillset to get after it offensively. She shares the team lead with Carlin for goals (five), while leading it outright in shots (53) and shots on goal (23). Crenshaw has also been credited with two assists to give her 13 points, which ties for second on the squad.

Carlin is a dynamic player who paced the Miners in both points (16) and assists (six) while sharing for the team lead in goals (five). The six helpers tie as the fifth most by on UTEP’s single-season freshmen records. She came on particularly strong down the stretch, scoring a goal in four of the Miners’ final C-USA contests.

The Miners will open up against second-seeded and host North Texas in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Conference USA Women’s Soccer Championships at 6 p.m. MT Wednesday. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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.

Seventh-seeded UTEP will face second-seeded and host North Texas in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Conference USA Women’s Soccer Championships at 6 p.m. MT Wednesday.

“We are excited to be heading back to the tournament,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “So much credit goes to the team for staying true to the process. We never have control of the outcomes, but they have taken full responsibility for our daily process. The daily process is what has earned them the opportunity to play North Texas.”

The match will be streamed live on ESPN+. It marks the first appearance for the Miners at the league’s pinnacle event since 2016.

“North Texas will be a tough team. They have a lot of experience and success in the tournament. They also are defending their home field and title. However,  all the pressure is on them. No one thought we would be here. We were ranked 13th of 14 in preseason rankings, and even during the season we received no player of the week awards. No one expects this group to be successful, and that is just how we like it. This group thrives as the underdog. You will see a group who will give their all continuing to represent themselves, the program, the school and El Paso,” Balogun added.

Tessa Carlin (82′) scored late in the second half as the UTEP soccer team bested UTSA, 1-0, on “Senior Night” at University Field on November 1st

North Texas leads the series, 6-1, including a mark of 4-0 when playing in Denton. The two squads last squared off in 2017, which was claimed by UNT, 3-1.

North Texas compiled a record of 12-5-1 during the regular season, including 7-2-1 in C-USA action to earn the second seed at the 2019 C-USA Women’s Soccer Championships. UNT finished 9-0 at home, outscoring foes, 24-1, in those contests.

The Mean Green are riding a six-match shutout streak in Denton. Furthermore, North Texas is 24-0-3 at home dating to early in the 2017 season. Its last home setback came to Texas on Aug. 27, 2017. In 2019, UNT has outscored foes, 36-11. Berklee Peters is the top threat with 11 goals (third C-USA/35th NCAA) and two assists for 24 points (third C-USA/67th NCAA). UNT takes 8.7 shots on goal per game (first C-USA/13th NCAA). It also leads the league and is 24th nationally for goals against average (.605).

The past two times (2016 and 2011) that UTEP has been seeded seventh at the C-USA Championships, it has sprung the upset on the second seed. The Miners ousted Rice, 1-0, in 2016, while toppling then league member Colorado College, 2-1, in 2011. In fact in 2011 UTEP advanced to the championship contest.

The Miners capped the regular season with back-to-back victories, propelling it to finish in a three-way tie for sixth place in the C-USA standings. The strong close to the campaign allowed the Miners to qualify for the C-USA Women’s Soccer Championships for the first time since 2016. UTEP is the seventh seed.

UTEP heads into the Conference USA Championships with a mark of 10-6-3, 5-4-1 C-USA. The Miners surpassed their win total for both overall and C-USA contests from a year ago (7-8-4, 2-5-3). UTEP has also secured its first double-digit win total since 2016 (13-7-2).

The club has a chance at its first double-digit win total since 2016, which was also the last time it qualified for the C-USA Championships. It can accomplish both with a victory against UTSA on Friday.

UTEP picked up a crucial 2-0 win at ODU on Oct. 27, which allowed the Miners to conclude this year with a road record of 4-3-2. It marks the first winning road record at the school since 2016 (5-4-2).

The Miners have posted a winning mark in nonconference play in 17 of the past 18 years, including finishing 5-2-2 in 2019. The exception during the nearly two-decade run of success came in 2017 (4-5-0).

DALLAS – Senior Lauren Crenshaw has been voted to the 2019 C-USA Women’s Soccer All-Academic Team, the league office revealed Monday. It marks the second straight year that the Miners have been represented on the team.

Crenshaw, who sports a 3.57 cumulative GPA while pursuing a major in kinesiology, was selected to the second team.

“Congratulations to Lauren on being the first player to be recognized from our program this year,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “It is obvious to all she represents what it means to be a student-athlete.  She works tirelessly on the field. I am sure she is on anyone’s scouting report as a defender who is dangerous both defensively and offensively. However, that is not where it ends. Over her four years, she has also gotten it done in the classroom. She is a great student-athlete who will leave a positive legacy on the program.”

Crenshaw has enjoyed a stellar senior season, with her play helping the Miners qualify for the C-USA Women’s Soccer Championships for the first time in three years. She is a defender who has also shown the ability to get involved in the attack by sharing for the team lead in goals (five), while pacing it outright for shots (53) and shots on goal (23). Crenshaw has added a pair of assists to share for second place on the team with her 13 points.

Her efforts on defense have helped UTEP produce seven shutouts while keeping six other foes to just one goal. Crenshaw has started 18 of 19 games and has logged the fourth-most minutes among Miner field players.

She is a three-time member of the C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.

Crenshaw and the rest of the Miners will be back in action when they square off against second-seeded and host North Texas in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Conference USA Women’s Soccer Championships at 6 p.m. MT Wednesday.

The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.

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 online.

Tessa Carlin (82′) scored late in the second half as the UTEP soccer team bested UTSA, 1-0, on “Senior Night” at University Field Friday evening.

“I can’t be happier for the team,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “The girls not only showed up, they’ve been bought in all year and they were rewarded with success tonight. It’s a full team effort from the back to the front. I can’t be more excited for them.”

The Miners’ (10-6-3, 5-4-1 C-USA) second straight win locked up a bid to the Conference USA Championships in the process, while the Roadrunners (8-8-1, 4-6-0 C-USA) conclude the 2019 season.

Both teams finished with three shots on goal. Parrott was locked in by turning them all away to post her second straight and seventh shutout of the season. Jojo Ngongo and Lauren Crenshaw were credited with assists on Carlin’s goal.

Crenshaw, Danielle Carreon, Kori Lewis and manager Paige Harm were honored in a post-game senior ceremony.

Parrott was up to the task for the first shot of the game by either team, snuffing out the chance by Abby Kassal in the 15th minute. UTEP then countered only to have Carreon’s try sail wide of the frame. The Roadrunners then went back on the attack, with Parrott making a diving save to her right to once again deny Kassal.

UTEP secured its first corner kick of the contest in the 27th minute, with a service from Jackie Miller being headed just wide of the frame by Emerson Kidd. The Orange and Blue were pressing again in the 43rd minute, but the sequence was wiped out on an offside call.

The Miners received the first opportunity of the second half after a foul against the Roadrunners, but Crenshaw sent the shot high. The senior was on the prowl in the 55th minute, but a long-distance shot was handled by UTSA GK Jil Schneider.

Fellow classmate Carreon was searching for the first goal of the game in the 59th minute when her shot whistled just wide. Ayana Noel nearly put UTEP on the board in the 74th minute when her header was snatched out of the air by Schneider.

The persistent pressure paid dividends in the 82nd minute with Crenshaw playing it to Ngongo, who touched it through to Carlin. The freshman calmly corralled the past and buried it past Schneider.

UTEP will return to the pitch in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Championships on Wednesday.

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.

Gallery by Andres ‘Ace’ Acosta – Chief Photographer – El Paso Herald Post

NORFOLK, Va.- Jojo Ngongo (51′) and Tessa Carlin (65′) each recorded a goal and an assist in the second half to help lead the UTEP soccer team to an important 2-0 victory at ODU Sunday afternoon.

Emily Parrott delivered a big save late in the first half on the way to recording her sixth shutout of the season.

“We picked up a solid three points today,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “We started slow but weathered the storm and came out in the second half finding the back of the net two times. The girls represented El Paso, UTEP and themselves well.”

The effort allows the Miners (9-6-3, 4-4-1 C-USA) to leapfrog the Monarchs (9-4-4, 3-4-2) in the C-USA standings with one game remaining in the regular season. It also halted ODU’s five-match unbeaten streak.

Lauren Crenshaw’s shot was blocked over the end line to give UTEP a corner kick in the sixth minute. Jackie Miller lobbed the ball into the box, but the Miners couldn’t connect. The Miners earned another corner kick in the 22nd minute, but ODU’s GK Kasey Perry snagged the service.

ODU created an opportunity in the final minute of the first half, with a corner kick creating a point-blank shot for Talia Tapper. Parrott stepped up to deliver a diving save and keep the match scoreless through 45 minutes of action.

The Miners struck first, with Carlin setting up Ngongo in the box in the 51st minute. She tapped to control it and then buried the shot into the back of the net to put UTEP up, 1-0. The Miners nearly made it 2-0 with a shot by Moe Sais but it hit the post and stayed out in the 60th minute.

It proved to be a moot point with Ngongo returning the favor by setting up Carlin on a breakaway in the 65th minute. She corralled the pass in space and calmly hammered home the shot past a helpless Perry to make it 2-0 in favor of the Orange and Blue in the 65th minute.

UTEP was knocking on the door in the 71st minute, this time with Hailey Vaughan blasting a shot that was stopped by Perry.

The Miners played keep away down the stretch on the way to closing out the contest in style.

UTEP will conclude the regular season at home with “Senior Night” against UTSA at 7 p.m. on Friday. 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.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.- The UTEP soccer team battled but homestanding Charlotte got a late goal by Jamie Fankhauser (79′) in a 1-0 defeat Thursday evening.

“I’m super proud of our team’s effort tonight from all 21 players,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “Charlotte is the best team we’ve faced. They deserve to be at the top of C-USA, and we were right with them to the end with multiple opportunities to get our own goals.”

The Miners (8-6-3, 3-4-1) went toe-to-toe with the co league-leading 49ers (12-3, 7-1 C-USA) before the tally by Fankhauser broke the deadlock in the 79th minute.

Freshman GK Emily Parrott recorded a pair of second-half saves for UTEP.

Charlotte had a golden opportunity three minutes in with Julia Grainda getting in behind the defense, but she fired the shot wide. The Miners generated their first offensive opportunity of the contest by earning a corner kick in the sixth minute.

The home side was able to generate a couple more shots as the half hit the halfway point, but thanks to good marking by UTEP none of them were on target.

The Miners nearly got on the board in the 31st minute when a perfectly-timed run by Kam Fisher allowed her to beat the offside trap. She lasered a low, hard shot but Charlotte GK Abby Stapleton made the save. Two minutes later Emerson Kidd fired a shot off a set piece just high over the frame. In the 42nd minute it was Tessa Carlin with the chance, but it was off the mark.

Parrott was called upon for the first time in the 56th minute, gobbling up a shot by Fankhauser. UTEP then went on the offensive, securing a corner kick but it couldn’t get anything on net.

Jojo Ngongo got sprung free on a breakaway in the 64th minute, but she took one touch too many and was unable to get the shot off before it was snagged by Stapleton. It was Parrott’s turn to shine in the 67th minute, as she robbed Megan Greene with a diving save on a point-blank shot.

The 49ers broke the scoreless tie with a bicycle kick in the box form Fankhauser that managed to best Parrott. UTEP tried to rally but an offside call wiped out a chance in the 83rd minute.

The Miners will look to get back on track when they play at Old Dominion at 10 a.m. MT/12 p.m. ET Sunday.

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 (8-5-3, 3-3-1 C-USA) will wrap up the road portion of its schedule by playing at co-league leader Charlotte (11-3, 6-1 C-USA) at 5 p.m. MT Thursday and at Old Dominion (8-3-4, 2-3-2 C-USA) at 10 a.m. MT Sunday.

“We have two important games on the road this weekend,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “Every game at the end matters but for us it’s the opportunity to make the tournament for the first time in three years. We will start the with Charlotte, who will be very good. They are disciplined and have a great amount of earned confidence. ODU is similar to us and fighting for a spot in the tournament.  “

With three games remaining in the regular season, the Miners are in a three-way tie for sixth place in the C-USA standings. UTEP stands at 3-3-1 in league play, giving it 10 points to share sixth with LA Tech (3-4-1) and Middle Tennessee (3-4-1). But with UTSA (3-4, nine points), ODU (2-3-2, eight points) and UAB (2-3-2, eight points) close behind, the Miners need to find a way to secure points on the two-game roadswing.

UTEP is in search of a top-eight showing, which would allow it to qualify for the C-USA Championships for the first time since 2016.

With the 2-0 blanking of LA Tech on Oct. 17, UTEP was able to move past its win total for both overall (eight) and C-USA (three) contests from a year ago. The Miners have been solid both at home (5-3-1) and on the road (3-2-2). UTEP sports a +2 goal differential (24-22) while also staking advantages for both shots (229-190) and shots on goal (105-74).

UTEP enters Thursday’s match with a 3-2-2 road record, which is a vast improvement from the readout of 1-4-3 away from home in 2018. With a win or tie this week, the Miners would be assured of their first road record of .500 or better since 2016 (5-4-2).

UTEP has posted a winning mark in nonconference play in 17 of the past 18 years, including finishing 5-2-2 in 2019. The exception during the nearly two-decade run of success came in 2017 (4-5-0).

UTEP split a pair of home games to conclude a three-game homestand. The Miners cruised past LA Tech, 2-0, on Oct. 17 before being tripped up by Southern Miss, 3-1, on Oct. 20.

Series History Vs. Charlotte

UTEP has a slight edge of 3-2-1 in the series with Charlotte, with all of the meetings occurring since the 49ers joined Conference USA. The Miners have won back-to-back matches against Charlotte, including a 1-0 home conquest last year (10/18/18). UTEP is making the cross-country trip to lock up with the 49ers for the first time since 2016. That year the Orange and Blue won a wild 4-3 contest (9/30/16) during the regular season but were upended in the semifinals of the C-USA tournament, 1-0, by host Charlotte (11/4/16).

Quick Overview On Charlotte

Charlotte is riding a six-match winning streak and enters Thursday’s contest at 11-3, 6-1 C-USA. The 49ers are tied for first place in Conference USA. Megan Greene (eight) and Julia Grainda (seven) top the team in goals. Grainda has also been credited with a squad-best seven assists. Abby Stapleton has started every match in net, recording 38 saves and a 70.4 save percentage.

Series History Vs. ODU

UTEP is 2-1-2 against ODU, which includes a 1-0-1 mark when playing in Norfolk, Va. The two sides battled to a 2-2 draw last year in El Paso (10/26/18).

Quick Overview On ODU

ODU is 8-3-4, 2-3-2 C-USA on the season. The Lady Monarchs have thrived at home, however, compiling a record of 4-1-2 when playing in Norfolk, Va. They have outscored the opposition by a count of 33-19, with Amanda Nhek (eight goals, five assists) keying the attack. Kasey Perry has played the most in net. She has a 69.6 save percentage and a total of 32 saves.

The UTEP soccer team dug itself an early hole and could never recover in a 3-1 setback to Southern Miss at University Field Sunday afternoon.

“We didn’t come out strong and utilize the wind in the first half,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “We let them score two against the wind. We had to be more offensive (in the second half). We had to dig ourselves out of a hole. They came out ready to play, and we tried to wish our way through a game.”

The Golden Eagles (7-8, 2-5 C-USA) scored twice in the first 15 minutes, with Ariel Diaz (6′) and Madisyn Flammia (15′) both finding the back of the net.

The Miners (8-5-3, 3-3-1 C-USA) mounted a rally, with a Tessa Carlin (59′) cutting the deficit to 2-1. USM, however, found an insurance tally by Diaz (76′) to snuff out the comeback bid.

Lilly Marquez and Nicole Pugsley were credited with assists for the Orange and Blue.

Emily Parrott was tested early, smothering a shot by Hailey Pohevitz in the third minute. Three minutes later USM was knocking at the door again, and this time it got on the board. Jenny Caracheo crossed a ball to the left wing to Diaz, who one-timed a shot past a diving Parrott.

The visitors extended their lead to 2-0 after taking advantage of a set piece. JoAnnie Ramos played a ball to Flammia, who bested Parrott with a powerful shot in the 15th minute.

UTEP generated its first chances of the contest on its ensuing possession, but all three shot attempts were off the mark. In the 25th minute the pressure resulted in a corner kick, but the shot by Lilly Marquez went wide.

The Miners continued to press as the half wore on, accumulating nine shots through 45 minutes. None of them, however, were on target.

Parrott did well to punch a shot by Diaz over the bar early in the second half. UTEP then fought of the pressure on the subsequent corner kick.

The Miners were fighting to get back into the contest in the 53rd minute when an offside call negated a header goal from Carlin. Six minutes later it was Carlin burying a shot, and on this occasion,  it counted.

Pugsley tapped it to Marquez, who sent it to a streaking Carlin. The freshman blasted the ball past a diving Kendall Mindnich to bring UTEP within one.

Danielle Carreon vied for the equalizer in the 67th minute only to have Mindnich deliver a save.

USM then regrouped and took advantage of an errant pass and miscommunication that led to Diaz finishing a shot on an open net in in the 76th minute.

UTEP will head to the Eastern Time Zone for a pair of games in the coming week, playing at league-leading Charlotte (5 p.m. MT Thursday) and at Old Dominion (10 a.m. MT, Oct. 27).​

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.

At 5-11 and with solid speed, redshirt sophomore Nicole Pugsley can do anything and everything on the pitch.

Her all-around skillset was on display in Thursday’s 2-0 shutout against LA Tech, which vaulted UTEP up to a tie for sixth place in the C-USA standings.

Playing in the midfield, Pugsley used her height off a corner kick to get the Miners on the board in the 30th minute with a powerful header. She added an assist on UTEP’s second goal, but her impact was also felt defensively.

She helped keep LA Tech, which entered the match second in the nation for goals, to just one shot on goal during the match. Pugsley won balls in the air while also showing off steady one-on-one defending to aid in slowing down the high-octane attack of the Lady Techsters. In all, it was a microcosm of what Pugsley brings to the table for a youth-laden Miner soccer team.

“I’d say my role is to be a leader on and off the field for the team,” Pugsley said. “Make sure that everyone is held accountable. It’s really nice getting a shutout, it feels good for the team.

Pugsley, who has started every match of her career, has been used both as a defender and midfielder in 2019. While she can thrive in both, she does have a preference of where to play.

“Probably midfield because I do like going in offensively,” Pugsley said. “As a center back you are not supposed to go forward at all.”

A biochemical science major, Pugsley aspires to get into the pharmacy field once her soccer career is over.

“Academics are very important to me because I do need to get into pharmacy school,” Pugsley said. “I need to keep my grades up.”

She has certainly done that, securing a C-USA Commissioner’s Academic Medal (min. 3.75 GPA) in back-to-back years.

The Texas native features a direct, no-nonsense approach to leadership, one that has her on track to one day be a captain of the squad.

“Consistency is really important in leadership and also not being a hypocrite,” Pugsley said. “If a leader is not doing as they say, then how are you going to trust that leader? And then being consistent, making sure I’m not ever doing what I’m not supposed to be doing.”

Pugsley is a workhouse who has logged the most minutes (1335) of any Miner field player on the year. She is also one of two Miners to start all 15 matches, and has been instrumental to the team’s turnaround in 2019 under first-year head coach Kathryn Balogun. UTEP (8-4-3, 3-2-1 C-USA) has already surpassed both its overall and conference win total from a year ago, and has a legitimate chance to qualify for the C-USA Tournament for the first time since 2016.

“Really buying in to what all the coaches brought in has been key,” Pugsley said. “I think we all did a really good job of that in the spring. It has brought all of our team closer in realizing we were ready for a change and to come in and do what Coach Kat brought us.”

Her UTEP career didn’t start out as planned, with an injury forcing her to take a redshirt in 2017. But even that proved to have a benefit.

“Watching the game from the sideline I learned a lot,” Pugsley said. “Being on the sideline is terrible but recovery is really important.”

UTEP is certainly fortunate to have her back on the pitch now, making plays all over like she did in Thursday’s crucial win against LA Tech. With the regular season winding down, Pugsley remains consistent in her approach and with her goals.

“For us to keep defining how UTEP soccer is played, both offensively and defensively,” Pugsley said. “And then, to ultimately get to the conference tournament.”

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 Nicole Pugsley (31′) and Tessa Carlin (46′) and smothering defense, UTEP rolled past LA Tech, 2-0, at University Field Thursday evening.

The Miners (8-4-3, 3-2-1 C-USA) dominated the contest against the nation’s second-leading offense, outshooting the Lady Techsters (11-3-2, 3-3-1 C-USA) by a margin of 28-6. That included a 9-1 advantage for shots on goal.

Vanessa Cabello, Lauren Crenshaw and Pugsley all registered assists for the Orange and Blue.

“I’m super happy for the girls,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “LA Tech gave a different look than we’ve had in the past, and the girls handled it really well. We’ll continue to get better. We had 28 shots, nine on goal, and only finished two so we have got to get better there.”

Emily Parrott was credited with her fifth shutout of the season after making one save while Carlotta Cartelli registered seven stops for LA Tech.

UTEP pressured initially, with a Jojo Ngongo shot (3′) creeping just wide of the frame. She then had another attempt (5′) that went wide right. Carlin’s opportunity (9′) was blocked and Cartelli tracked down the bouncing ball. Lauren Crenshaw tried a long-distance look (17′) that was handled by Cartelli for the first save in the game. Two minutes later it was a cross from Carlin that was headed (19′) wide by Ngongo.

Crenshaw lifted one over the defense that was gobbled up by Cartelli in the 21st minute. UTEP had a wild possession in the 30th minute, recording three shots in a span of 30 seconds. One by Pugsley clanked off the post while two others were blocked.

The Miners’ persistent pressure paid dividends just a minute later, off another corner kick. Cabello served it into the box where Pugsley used her 5-11 frame to elevate and hammer it home with a header.

UTEP nearly made it 2-0 when a rocket (40′) from Moe Sais clanked off the crossbar. The shot (40′) by Kam Fisher on the rebound was denied by Cartelli.

The Miners found that all-too important second goal of the game two minutes into the second half. Pugsley set up Crenshaw, who forced a diving save by Cartelli. Carlin was there to bury the rebound for her second goal of the campaign.

Carlin almost got another one in the 55th minute, with Cartelli looking like a hockey goaltender by making a kick save. Cartelli came up with a diving save to deny Jackie Miller in the 65th minute.

The Lady Techsters had their best opportunity of the contest in the 67th minute with a free kick from just outside the box. The wall did its job, though, blocking the shot before it could reach Parrott.

The freshman delivered a leaping save to rob Jaelyn Peeples in the 74th minute. That was as close as the Lady Techsters would get, with UTEP controlling play down the stretch to close out the contest in style.  ​

The Orange and Blue will look to make it a perfect weekend at home when they play host to Southern Miss at 12 p.m. MT Sunday. 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.

The UTEP soccer team (7-4-3, 2-2-1 C-USA) will conclude a three-game homestand by squaring off against LA Tech (11-2-2, 3-2-1 C-USA) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday and Southern Miss (6-7, 1-4 C-USA) at 12 p.m. MT Sunday. 

“With five games left in the season, every game is important and every point is important,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “However we want our girls to take each game as an individual task. We have a big opportunity to walk away with some big home points, but the goal is to remain focused on the next task ahead which is LA Tech. They have had some really good results, and a couple of players have had a great year finding the back of the net.”

UTEP fought hard only to be upended at home, 1-0, by WKU on Oct. 10. The Miners had a 7-6 edge for shots on goal against the Lady Toppers but couldn’t find a way to beat Anne-Marie Ulliac.

Emily Parrott delivered five saves, with her lone blemish coming on a try from Ansley Cate (52′) seven minutes into the second half.

UTEP is in search of its first win against LA Tech, which has a 3-0-1 advantage in the series with the Miners. Thursday’s match-up will mark the first in El Paso between the programs, with three previously in Ruston, La., and another at the C-USA Championships

The Miners have dominated the series with Southern Miss, posting a 10-1-1 mark in 12 prior meetings. That includes a 6-0 advantage when playing in El Paso. Last year the programs battled to a 1-1 draw in Hattiesburg, Miss.

After allowing six goals in the loss at Middle Tennessee on Oct. 6, UTEP regrouped to limit WKU to one tally last time out on Oct. 10. The Miners have posted four shutouts on the season while holding five other opponents to one goal.

With five games remaining in the regular season, the Miners are in a three-way tie for seventh place in the C-USA standings. UTEP is in search of a top-eight showing, which would allow it to qualify for the C-USA Championships for the first time since 2016.

Five league games are left on UTEP’s schedule, but it has matched its win total for both overall (seven) and C-USA contests (two) from a year ago. The Miners are playing consistently well at both home (4-2-1) and on the road (3-2-2). UTEP sports a +2 goal differential (21-19) while also staking advantages for both shots (187-169) and shots on goal (94-66).

Quick Overview On Tech

LA Tech is 11-2-2 overall, including 3-2-1 in C-USA play. The Lady Techsters pace the league and are among the nation’s best for goals (46-second), assists (38-sixth) and points (130-third). They also have the most overall wins (11) in the league. Most recently they rallied from a two-goal deficit to forge a tie against Rice (10/13). Autumn Woodward (15 goals-first C-USA/second NCAA) paces the high-scoring attack, with Amber Posthauer (eight-fourth C-USA/47th NCAA) also having been a playmaker. Carlotta Cartelli has earned the bulk of playing time in net, registering 46 saves.

Quick Overview On Southern Miss

Southern Miss compiled a 5-3 mark in nonconference action, but it has struggled through five games (1-4) in C-USA play. It has taken care of business at home (4-1), but has been challenged on the road (2-6). Hailey Pohevitz is the top goal scorer (seven), but three others have four goals each. Pohevitz also shares the squad lead in assists (two). Kendall Mindnich has garnered most of the playing time in net, racking up 47 saves.

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

The UTEP soccer team fought hard only to be upended at home, 1-0, by WKU Thursday evening.

The Miners (7-4-3, 2-2-1 C-USA) had a 7-6 edge for shots on goal against the Lady Toppers (7-4-1, 3-2-2 C-USA) but couldn’t find a way to beat Anne-Marie Ulliac. Emily Parrott delivered five saves, with her lone blemish coming on a try from Ansley Cate (52′) seven minutes into the second half.

UTEP controlled the opening 45 minutes, holding advantages in both shots (10-5) and shots on goal (6-1). The visitors survived the onslaught and snuck away with the win after Cate’s second-half tally.

“I thought the girls came out really strong,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “Unfortunately we didn’t come out as strong in the second half and we keep giving up set-piece goals. It didn’t happen tonight. We’re going to keep pushing and keep working because this is a good team.”

WKU generated a pair of shots in the first six minutes, both of which were blocked. The Miners then went searching for a goal with Lauren Crenshaw’s shot being saved by Ulliac in the ninth minute. Jackie Miller also let loose from distance, forcing Ulliac into a save in the 18th minute.

Danielle Carreon took a shot from inside the box that appeared destined for the back of the net but Ulliac came flying over for a diving save in the 20th minute. The GK also fought off a header from Emerson Kidd on the ensuing corner kick. Three minutes later it was a half-volley by Adrianna Jimmerson that was stopped. In the 29th minute Crenshaw unleashed a blast that required a diving stop by Ulliac.

WKU’s Aleksandra Kozovic rifled a shot that scooted along the ground, but Parrott tracked it well to make the save in the 33rd minute.  The Miners had a chance wiped out due to an offside call in the 40th minute and Kam Fisher’s shot was blocked by the defense in the 43rd minute.

The visitors got on the board in the second half off a scramble from a free kick. The ball was in the box where it was headed to Cate, who bested Parrott with a sneaky shot in the 52nd minute. Four minutes later UTEP was vying for the equalizer, but Tessa Carlin was turned away by Ulliac.

There was a wild sequence in the 60th minute, with WKU taking three shots in 20 seconds. Two of them clanked off the crossbar while another was blocked by the Miners’ defense. Carlin had a good look in the 69th minute, but it whistled high.

Parrott kept the Orange and Blue in striking distance by making two fantastic saves in the final 10 minutes of the match. She delivered a leaping stop to punch a shot by Ambere Barnett over the bar in the 82nd minute. She then made a diving stop on a try by Sydney Ernst in the 83rd minute.

UTEP tried to work the ball up the pitch in the waning minutes to secure the equalizer, but it didn’t come to fruition. The best chance came off a corner kick, with a Carreon shot ending up wide in the final minute of action.

The Miners will play host to LA Tech (7 p.m., Oct. 17) in the second of three straight home contests. The homestand will conclude against Southern Miss (12 p.m., Oct. 20).

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 (7-3-3, 2-1-1 C-USA)) will return to the friendly confines of University Field to lock up with WKU (6-4-1, 2-2 C-USA) at 7 p.m. MT Thursday.

“It’s going to be great to get back on our home field,” UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. “We’ve talked about needing to have a positive response and a strong start. We’ve allowed a lot of first goals, and as we go into the last six conference games that trend has to stop.”

It will be the “Kick For The Cure” contest, with all fans who wear pink able to purchase tickets for $3. Otherwise tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be bought by calling (915) 747-5234.

UTEP dug itself a big hole early and could never get on track in an eventual 6-1 loss at Middle Tennessee on Oct. 6. The Miners, who had yielded only 12 goals in 12 games, had their four-match unbeaten streak snapped in the process.

The series with WKU is even at 1-1-1. Last year the Lady Toppers won a wild game, 4-3, in Bowling Green, Ky.

WKU is 6-4-1 on the year, including 2-2 in C-USA play. It has nearly doubled up the opposition, piling up 23 goals while yielding only 12. The Lady Toppers enter Thursday’s match having dropped back-to-back contests, including a 3-0 home setback to Old Dominion (10/6) last time out. WKU is battle tested, with six contests (2-3-1) going to overtime.

Ashley Leonard (six) and Ambere Barnett (five) have accounted for nearly half of the team’s goals. Barnett also paces the unit in assists (five).

UTEP was dealt a 6-1 loss at Middle Tennessee on Oct. 6, but it has proved to be a resilient bunch in 2019. The Miners are 2-0 on the year coming off a loss, winning those games by a combined score of 4-1.

Six league games remain on UTEP’s schedule, but it has already matched its win total for both overall (seven) and C-USA contests (two) from a year ago. The Miners are playing consistently well at both home (4-1-1) and on the road (3-2-2). UTEP sports a +3 goal differential (21-18) while also staking advantages for both shots (173-150) and shots on goal (87-60).

Winning four straight home gamess, the Miners stand at 4-1-1 overall in University Field. UTEP has a +6 (12-6) goal differential in El Paso, including a +7 margin (9-2) during the four-match winning streak.

UTEP has posted a winning mark in nonconference play in 17 of the past 18 years, including finishing 5-2-2 in 2019. The exception during the nearly two-decade run of success came in 2017 (4-5-0).

The Miners have 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, including six who have secured at least one starting nod.

UTEP is in its 24th season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 261-178-37. The Miners (7-3-3) 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.

Looking ahead, the Miners will play host to LA Tech (7 p.m., Oct. 17) in the second of three straight home contests. The homestand will conclude against Southern Miss (12 p.m., Oct. 20).

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.