EL PASO, Texas- The UTEP soccer team (4-2-2) will play host to NAIA program the University of the Southwest (3-3) in its nonconference finale at 7 p.m. MT Tuesday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234. As part of "Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night," UTEP faculty and staff may purchase a ticket for $3 by showing their ID at the ticket window.
"Tuesday will be a big final home nonconference game but also an opportunity for us to thank the wonderful faculty and staff here at UTEP," UTEP head coach
Kathryn Balogun said. "As a program we are blessed with a wonderful support staff to include professors, deans and faculty members. They are the real heroes who put in work that rarely gets acknowledged. Tuesday night will be an opportunity for us to say thank you."
Series History Vs. University Of The Southwest
This is the first meeting between the programs.
Quick Overview On University Of The Southwest
The University of the Southwest (NAIA) is 3-3 on the season, including drilling Sul Ross State, 5-1, on Sept. 7. They have been idle since that match since a scheduled contest against UTPB for Sept. 14 was postponed. Priscilla Garcia (five) and Karla Parra (three) have accounted for eight of the team's 11 goals on the season. Lauren Zarate (two) tops the squad in assists. Andrea Martinez has started every match in net, recording 33 saves while conceding nine goals.
All Good Things Come To A Close
UTEP's five-match unbeaten streak was halted in a 2-1 setback at Utah Valley on Sept. 14. It marked the end of the longest such surge by the Miners during nonconference action in three years. UTEP was unbeaten through the first seven matches in 2016.
Getting After It On Defense
UTEP has kept five of its eight foes to one goal or less, including recording a pair of shutouts. The Miners hadn't allowed multiple tallies in five straight games before conceding a pair at Utah Valley on Sept. 14. The five-contest surge was the longest in nonconference play at the school since also ripping off five straight such tilts in 2016.
Back Home
UTEP returns to University Field for a pair of matches this week, locking up with the University of the Southwest (7 p.m. MT Tuesday) and FIU (11 a.m. MT Sunday). The Miners have won back-to-back home contests and are 2-1-1 overall in the Sun City in 2019. They have a +2 (7-5) goal differential in those four matches.
Starting It Off Well
UTEP (4-2-2) is assured of a winning record in nonconference play regardless of the outcome of Tuesday's match. The Miners will now have posted a winning mark in non-league action for the 17th time in the past 18 years, with 2017 (4-5) being the exception.
Three-Headed Attack
Lauren Crenshaw (three),
Danielle Carreon (two) and
Jojo Ngongo (two) have provided eight of UTEP's 12 goals on the season. Crenshaw and Carreon also share the squad lead for game-winning tallies with one each.
Kam Fisher,
Kori Loris,
Jackie Miler,
Ayana Noel and
Nicole Pugsley each have one goal in 2019.
Close Calls
Seven of UTEP's eight games have been decided by one goal or less. There have been two ties and five contests with a one-goal differential. The Miners are 3-2 in the situation this year. The lone contest to be a larger final margin was a 2-0 victory against Southern Utah (9/8/19).
Looking Ahead
UTEP will open up its 10-match Conference USA slate when it plays host to FIU at 11 a.m. MT Sunday. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids, and may be purchased by calling (915) 747-5234. It will mark the first time that the Miners will have kicked off C-USA action at home since 2013.
Freshmen Power
UTEP has 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 thus far in 2019, including five who have secured at least one starting nod.
Youth Served In Goal
For the first time since 2008, UTEP is relying exclusively on a freshman goalkeeper. Newcomers
Zoey Lopez (Montwood HS) and
Emily Parrott (Lone Star HS) have both seen action. Parrott has started seven of eight matches, making 23 saves and recording two shutouts. Lopez had a quartet of saves before getting injured in the match against Abilene Christian (8/25/19).
Balogun's History Of Success In League Play
First-year head coach
Kathryn Balogun has a history of success in conference action. During her five seasons (2014-18) at the helm of Texas Southern, she compiled a record of 31-13-7 in Southwest Athletic Conference (SWAC) contests. Her squad produced winning marks in SWAC action and advanced to the league tournament in all five seasons.
The Basic Facts
UTEP is in its 24th season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 258-177-36. The Miners (4-2-2) 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.
UTEP Soccer on Social Media
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.
