EL PASO, Texas- When glancing over the roster for the 2019 UTEP soccer team, it's hard to overlook the abundance of freshmen. Nearly half of the players (11 of 24) are freshmen, including both goalkeepers on the squad.
To put those figures into perspective, consider the following. It's been nearly two decades (14 in 2000) that UTEP has had at least 11 true freshmen on a roster. Furthermore, you have to go back to 2008 to find the last time that the Miners relied exclusively on a freshman goalkeeper.
Nine of them are from Texas, including a trio of El Paso natives. There are also two that ventured to the Sun City all the way from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, a distance of 1,650 miles.
In order to get to know the incoming class better, each freshman took time to answer one question following Wednesday's practice at University Field. Their responses, along with their positions, majors and hometown follow below.
What has been the biggest adjustment to college?
"It would be the speed of play, but also my new surroundings. We are all new and don't really know each other so that's a huge adjustment."
Adriana Lopez,
Position: MF;
Major: Kinesiology;
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
What advice would you give to a future freshman?
"Be prepared. Be fit, be extra, extra fit. Practice the fitness test, the 'yoyo' test. That's it."
Lilly Marquez,
Position: MF/D;
Major: Environmental Science;
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
What is the most important thing you've learned?
"You have to learn to adjust. Everything is important, even the little details on and off the field."
Jackie Miller,
Position: MF;
Major: Business;
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
How are you feeling on the cusp of the season starting?
"I'm excited to start the season. I think it's going to be a good one. We are all going to work hard, and everyone is super excited to begin."
Emerson Kidd,
Position: MF;
Major: Nursing;
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
What was the highlight of training camp?
"The highlight of training camp was getting to know each other and all of the team bonding that we did."
Bella Benavides,
Position: F;
Major: Nursing;
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
How'd you pick UTEP?
"Some of the reasons why I chose UTEP were because of the environment and the type of people that are playing here."
Raquel Houston,
Position: MF/D;
Major: Kinesiology;
Hometown: Midland, Texas
What number are you wearing and why?
"I'm number 66. I chose that because it's my favorite number."
Tessa Carlin,
Position: F;
Major: Environmental Science;
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
What is it like to be a part of huge freshmen class?
"Being a part of a big freshmen class you relate to all of the freshmen. You know that you're not alone and you have a lot of friends."
Moe Sais,
Position: F;
Major: Kinesiology;
Hometown: Lewisville, Texas
What did it feel like the first time you saw your jersey hanging in your locker?
"The first time I saw my jersey I got like butterflies in my stomach because it's something I've worked really hard for."
Zoey Lopez,
Position: GK;
Major: Education;
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Which upperclassmen has impacted you the most and why?
"I think Dani (
Danielle Carreon) has influenced me the most because she's really positive, is always encouraging and she never lets anyone fall behind."
Emily Parrott,
Position: GK;
Major: International Business;
Hometown: Frisco, Texas
What is the best thing about being a freshman?
"The best part of being a freshman is you get to know more people and have good and open friendships with them."
Vanessa Cabello,
Position: D;
Major: Nursing;
Hometown: Pasadena, Texas
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.
