EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP soccer team will open league play with a trip to the Sunshine State to take on FIU at 11 a.m. MT on Sunday, Sept. 16 in Miami, Fla.
"UTEP Soccer is now starting essentially a new season as Conference USA play starts on Sunday at Florida International," said head coach Kevin Cross. "Florida International has an extremely athletic team with international experience and great attacking abilities. They have played one of the most difficult schedules in Conference USA to prepare them for the conference season, and they play great soccer. Every UTEP player is going to have to be focused and playing well to secure a positive road result. Conference games are decided on one play, and we want those plays to go in our favor. We have a great game plan and are looking forward to the challenge."
Getting To Know FIU
The Panthers (0-7) are looking for their first win of the season, having been outscored 26-3 by opponents. Kaydeen Jack leads the squad with four points, having scored two goals.
Series History vs. FIU
UTEP has faced the Panthers twice in program history, splitting the series 1-1. The last meeting came in 2015, with the Miners falling in Miami 3-2.
Miners In Conference USA
UTEP heads into conference play sporting an overall record of 4-3-1, ranking seventh. Southern Miss produced the best nonconference record at 6-1. This is the fifth consecutive year the Miners start the conference schedule on the road and have a 66-55-9 all time record in C-USA.
Clutch Crenshaw
Lauren Crenshaw's game-winning penalty kick against Northern Illinois makes her 3-3 in PK's this season. She is the first Miner in program history to make three penalty kicks in a year. With that goal Crenshaw now leads the team in goals and points (seven) on the season.
Strong Across The Board
UTEP has demonstrated that it works as a team with nine players accounting for 13 goals. Lauren Crenshaw leads with three goals, Vic Bohdan, Anna Jimmerson and April Pate have netted two, while Danielle Carron, Jojo Ngongo, Cayla Payne, Jackie Soto and Natalie Valentine have contributed to the offensive success.
Close Calls
Since the 6-1 home opener against Lubbock Christain (8/17/18), the Miners have faced closer calls with all seven (3-3-1) matches decided by one goal. UTEP knocked off Northern Illinois in double overtime 1-0 (9/2/18) and bested both Grand Canyon (2-1, 8/31/18) and Idaho State (2-1, 8/24/18), while falling short at Abilene Christian (1-0, 2OT, 8/19/18), vs. UTRGV (3-2, 8/26/18) and at New Mexico (2-1, 9/7/18).
The Game Plan
The Miners have started their matches defensively strong. They have given up only three goals in the first-half action this year. UTEP has put its attack to the test in the second half scoring the majority of its goals after the break (10 of 14).
Palacios & The Career Rankings
Senior GK Alyssa Palacios has compiled some staggering numbers during her career in the Sun City. The result has been her stamping her name throughout the UTEP career record book. The Texas native is tied for the most all-time career shutouts (20) with Sarah Dilling (2011-14). She enters Sunday's match currently second on saves (378), save percentage (0.834), third in GK wins (35), GK games started (67), saves per game (5.60), GK minutes played (6, 176:58), fourth in GK matches played (67), and fifth for goals against average (1.09).
The Basic Facts
UTEP is in its 23rd season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 251-170-31. The Miners are under the direction of 18th-year head coach Kevin Cross who sports a mark of 209-122-23 in that time frame. He is assisted by two former Miners (Heather Clark and Jessie Pettit).
A Unique Blend
UTEP's roster of 23 for 2018 has a unique blend with 12 native Texans, seven individuals hailing from Canada and a quarter that call Arizona home.
A Maturing Roster
In 2017 20 of the 27 members of the squad were underclassmen, so it's only natural that this year's squad has a bit more experience. In 2018, the Orange and Blue feature a unit where 14 of the 23 individuals are either freshmen (seven) or sophomores (seven). There are four juniors and five seniors who are providing leadership for the still relatively young group.
