UTEP Miners

EL PASO, Texas- The UTEP soccer team (6-2-2, 1-0 C-USA)) will christen a three-game roadswing by playing at Marshall (2-7, 0-1 C-USA) at 5 p.m. MT/7 p.m. ET Thursday. The Miners have won back-to-back contests, including downing FIU, 3-1, in their C-USA opener on Sept. 22. The Thundering Herd have dropped consecutive contests, most recently falling at Florida Gulf Coast, 2-0, on Sept. 22.
 
"Marshall will be our first of three straight conference away games," UTEP head coach Kathryn Balogun said. "Travel in the conference is demanding, and it will be a new test for this young team. Marshall had a hard loss against a tough Florida Atlantic side in Florida. I am sure they will come out strong with their first conference home game against us. We were pleased with our first conference win but need to find a way to win big games on the road."
 
Looking In The Rearview Mirror
UTEP scored a season-high three goals in a resounding 3-1 win against FIU in the Conference USA opener for both squads at University Field on Sept. 22. Danielle Carreon (23'), Lauren Crenshaw (71') and Jackie Miller (83') provided the tallies for the Miners, who posted their fourth consecutive victory in El Paso. Jojo Ngongo (two), Adriana Lopez and Jackie Soto all were credited with assists.
 
Getting It Done In C-USA Openers
UTEP won its C-USA opener for the third straight year and now stands 9-4-1 in the situation since joining the league after it bested FIU, 3-1, at University Field on Sept. 22. It marked the first league lidlifter at home for the Miners since 2013.
 
Taking Care Of Business Across The Board
UTEP has produced its best record through 10 games (6-2-2) in three years, with the Miners playing consistently well at both home (4-1-1) and on the road (2-1-1). UTEP sports a +7 goal differential (17-10) while also staking advantages for both shots (143-118) and shots on goal (69-43).
 
Series History Vs. Marshall
UTEP leads the series against Marshall, 6-4-1, with all of the match-ups coming since both schools joined Conference USA. The Miners won on their first trip to Huntington, W. Va., in 2008, but they are 0-3-1 in the four road meetings since.
 
Quick Overview On Marshall
Marshall returned 20 players from last year's team (5-9-3, 3-6-1 C-USA). The Thundering Herd enter Thursday's match-up at 2-7, 0-1 C-USA on the season, and in the midst of a two-game skid. Mary Lawman (three goals) has been the top scoring threat while Rene Ross has been credited with a team-best four assists. Lindsay Langley has been called upon to make 50 saves in eight games. Marshall is 2-1 at home with a +2 goal differential (7-5). It is 0-6 on the road, having been outscored, 21-3, in those contests.
 
Balanced Attack
Five different players have accounted for the Miners' five goals during the mini two-game winning streak. The effort continues a season-long trend of a balanced attack for UTEP, with 10 individuals providing 17 total tallies. Seniors Lauren Crenshaw (four) and Danielle Carreon (three) lead the charge, with Crenshaw also pacing the team in game-winning goals (two).
 
Getting After It On Defense
UTEP has limited seven of its 10 foes to one goal or less, including recording three shutouts. The Miners also kept Southern Utah (9/8/19) without a shot on goal, marking the first time they've done that in 10 years.
 
We Must Protect This House
UTEP has won four straight home games and stands at 4-1-1 overall in University Field. UTEP has a +6 (12-6) goal differential in El Paso, including a +7 margin (9-2) during the four-match winning streak.
 
Continued Success In Nonconference Play
UTEP has posted a winning mark in nonconference play in 17 of the past 18 years, including finishing 5-2-2 in 2019. The exception during the nearly two-decade run of success came in 2017 (4-5-0).
 
Looking Ahead
The Miners will continue their three-game roadswing by playing at UAB (6 p.m. MT, Oct. 3). They will then square off at Middle Tennessee (12 p.m. MT, Oct. 6) before having four of their final six league tilts at University Field.
 
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, including six 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 nine of 10 matches, making 29 saves and recording three 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. She got off to a good start in that area with UTEP, with the Miners powering past FIU, 3-1, in their Conference USA opener on Sept. 22.
 
The Basic Facts
UTEP is in its 24th season as a program, boasting an all-time record of 260-177-36. The Miners (6-2-2) 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.