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