Sept. 23, 2007
In a physical game with plenty of emotion, the UTEP soccer team played to a 2-2 draw in the championship match of the eighth-annual Border Shootout at University Field on Sunday afternoon. UTEP now stands at 6-2-1 on the year, while the Lobos move to 4-2-2.
The Miners showed plenty of heart in earning the tie, as they rallied from a 2-0 deficit less than three minutes into the match. Tameka Sumter notched her 10th goal of the campaign to start the comeback and senior Kristin Wernimont capped it by burying a rebound with 10 minutes left to force overtime.
Aside from the initial three minutes of the tilt, the Miners controlled the pace of play. UTEP out-shot the Lobos 21-12, and earned six corner kicks compared to UNM's four. The Orange and Blue also showed off its mental toughness, by refusing to be bothered by the physical play of UNM. The Lobos committed 32 fouls.
"I think the team showed a lot of character," UTEP head coach Kevin Cross said. "I appreciated their hard work against a very good team."
It was an unfortunate start to the contest, as the Lobos vaulted out to a 1-0 lead just 40 seconds into the match. Jennifer Nielsen laced a cross from the left wing, which was tapped past a diving Jessica Salvi by Terryn Granados to put UNM up, 1-0.
The Lobos were not done, though, as less than two minutes later they made it a 2-0 contest. The Miners played a ball back to Salvi, whose clearing attempt was blocked by Alexis Ball. The UNM forward then controlled the ball and gently pushed it into the back of the net.
The Miners did not rattle, as they quickly sliced the UNM lead in half. A Lobo defender played a lazy pass back to UNM netminder Shannon Adragna, who took her time in getting to the ball. Sumter used her blazing speed to quickly close the gap. The sophomore leapt and blocked the kick. She then took one dribble and drilled it into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 game.
The tally energized the Miners, who nearly found the equalizer just three minutes later. Again it was Sumter in the middle of things, as she drilled a header that whistled just wide. UTEP continued to pressure, as a Jami Tullius blast crept just wide of the arc four minutes later.
At the 23-minute mark, a promising chance for the Orange and Blue was wiped out due to a well-conceived offside trap by UNM. The Miners remained determined, as slowly but surely they started to control the pace of play. UNM managed a couple of chances, but UTEP wiped out the opportunities.
Pressure was persistent at the other end of the pitch, as Lauren Hamson was turned away by Adragna on a shot from 25 yards out.
Play turned chippy in the final two minutes of the period, as New Mexico's Katie McKernan was sent off with a red card.
In the second stanza, the Miners continued to play with plenty of intensity. Casey unleashed a blast that seemed destined for the back of the net, but the ball rifled just over the crossbar. On its ensuing possession, the Lobos had a tremendous chance to pad their lead after a bad pass by UTEP led to a partial breakaway for UNM. Ball headed in toward Salvi, but her shot was blocked by Josan.
With 17 minutes to play, Chelsea Winbush made a brilliant run down the right wing. The sophomore defender laced a cross that trickled off the hands of Adragna. The ball bounced in the area, but the Lobos sent the ball out of danger before the Miners could muster a shot.
UNM responded by working the ball deep into UTEP territory, earning a free kick 30 yards out. UTEP's defense did a fine job of winning the ball in the air, keeping the Miners within striking distances.
The Miners countered with a rush of their own, as Casey once again drilled a shot that blistered just high.
UTEP found the equalizer it had been seeking desperately with 10 minutes to play in the match. Off a corner kick, Hamson sent a low, hard pass into the box. Josan nailed a shot that was blocked, but Wernimont was there to hammer home the loose change. The co-captain's first tally of the season set off a celebration in the stands and along the Miners' sideline.
With momentum on their side, the Miners elevated their intensity. Two Lobos collided at midfield, leading to an odd-man rush for UTEP. Tullius' try was blocked nicely by the Lobos. Melissa Desilets found herself free at the top of the box, but the shot was well off target.
In the final minute of the period, Desilets had a good look from 30 yards out but was unable to put it in on net.
The tension was palpable as overtime commenced, with the Miners coming out more aggressive. After a couple of shots were well of target, UTEP garnered a corner kick with three minutes to play. Casey lobbed a ball into the middle of the area. Wernimont elevated above the pack, but her header went just wide.
As the stanza wore on, fatigue was becoming a factor for both sides. Neither squad managed another rush, sending the game into double overtime.
Three minutes into the second overtime period, Sumter was pulled down on the right wing. Casey stood over the ball from 40 yards out and laced a shot that Adragna used every bit of her 5-8 frame to tip over the cross bar.
UNM responded with an offensive opportunity of its own. Granados split the defense after receiving a pass from Ball. She took a pair of dribbles to gain her composure before lacing a shot toward Salvi. The senior netminder dropped to her knees to make the save, as it bounced in toward her.
From that point on, the Miners played deep in Lobo territory. Casey vied for the match winner, but her attempt was denied by Adragna. UTEP tried to put together one final rush, but was unable to do so as the game came to a close.
The Miners will be back in action at Fresno State at 8 p.m. on Friday.
