DALLAS – Three UTEP soccer student-athletes picked up post-season awards, the league office announced Tuesday. Sheyliene Patolo was voted to the CUSA All-Conference Third Team while freshmen duo Nicole Morales and Ashlyn Neireiter were both selected for the CUSA All-Freshman Team.
 
This marks the first time since 2020 (Cayman Tamez, Third Team) that a Miner has received All-Conference honors and the first time since 2006 (Anoop Josan and Tameka Sumter) that two freshmen have made the all-freshman team in the same season.
 
CUSA All-Conference Third Team
Sheyliene Patolo, Junior, Midfield
 
Patolo provided a spark on the field and was never afraid to take it to defenders one-on-one with her footwork. She made 11 starts in 15 appearances for the Miners. The Pearl City, Hawaii, native tied for the team lead in goals scored (three) and shots on goal (seven). She ranked third in total shots (14). Two of her three goals were rockets from 20+ yards away from goal.
 
"Shey is a player that can really change the game on the dribble at any time and the conference recognizing that is deserved," Head Coach Gibbs Keeton said. "Shey defines what it means to be a Miner and earned the success she has found on the field as a great attacking player and teammate." 
 
CUSA All-Freshman Team
Ashlyn Neireiter, Freshman, Defense/Midfield
 
Neireiter was one of only four Miners to start every match this season. She was a two-position player this season, important for the Miners both as a center back and a center mid. She ranked third in minutes on the team with 1,464. The Beaumont, Texas, native played at least 70 minutes in every match this season, including the full 90 in 12 of them. She went the distance in all but one conference game. She scored one goal at San Diego State and tallied nine shots (six on goal).
 
CUSA All-Freshman Team
Nicole Morales, Freshman, Forward
 
Morales led all Miners in shots (17) and was tied for first in shots on goal (seven). She steadily increased her minutes as the season went on, earning her spot in the starting 11. She appeared in 16 matches, with 11 starts. The El Paso native tallied two goals and served up one assist in her debut season, including scoring the game winner against WKU.
 
"Freshmen recognition provides a positive outlook for the team and the individual," Keeton said. "Along with the recognition comes the responsibility of carrying the team forward for four years, and these two are equipped to do just that. Nicole came alive in the conference at just the right time and Ashlyn has been a rock for our program all season."