UTEP Soccer Opens Conference Play at New CUSA Member Kennesaw State

9/18/2024 2:05:00 PM

Season Statistics (PDF)

EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP soccer team (3-3-2) wraps up its four-game road trip at new conference opponent Kennesaw State (0-6-1) Thursday for the Conference USA opener. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m. MT/ 7 p.m. ET.

GAME COVERAGE
Thursday vs Kennesaw State – Live Stats or Watch Here

#ICYMI
UTEP improved to 3-3-2 in 2024 after a 1-0 victory over Texas Southern Sunday. Following a TSU foul in the box in the 20th minute, Leslie Gutierrez stepped up and buried the ensuing penalty kick to give the Miners the lead. Angelina Amparano made five of her six saves in the second half to help seal the win and earn her third solo shutout of the season. The Miners tallied 12 total shots (six on goal) led by Gutierrez and Sheyliene Patolo with three shots apiece. Taya Lopez posted two shots on goal in two shots, which was tied for the team lead in shots on goal (Gutierrez also had two).

CUSA PLAY BEGINS
The Miners begin their 20th season of CUSA soccer on the road. Since joining CUSA in 2005, UTEP is 11-6-2 in conference openers.

DUBS.
UTEP's three wins so far surpasses the team's 2023-win total for the entire season (two).

UTEP ACCOUNT: OPENED
Leslie Gutierrez scored the first goal of her Miner career against the Tigers. She also led the team in total shots (three) and shots on goal (two) at TSU

ROAD WORK AHEAD? YEAH, I SURE HOPE IT DOES.
Sunday's win at TSU marked the first road win of the Gibbs Keeton era for UTEP Soccer.

YOU SHALL NOT PASS!
Angelina Amparano recorded her third solo shutout of the season and fifth of her career against the Tigers. That moves her up to tied ninth in the all-time record book for goalkeeper solo shutouts (tied with Katie Gilmore, who played for the Miners from 2000-03.

THAT'S LINA "BRICK WALL" AMPARANO TO YOU!
Angelina Amparano put up solid numbers in net for the Miners in 2023, but she has already surpassed those numbers in her final season with UTEP. The Tuscon, Ariz., native has registered 28 saves (21 in '23), three shutouts (two in '23), 0.67 GAA (0.71 in '23) and .848 SV% (.840 in '23).

NO CORNERS, NO PROBLEMS.
The Miners allowed no corners against TSU, marking the first time an opponent has not registered a corner kick attempt since 2017 when UTEP held Middle Tennessee to zero corners on 10/15/17.

IN THE RANKS
UTEP leads or ranks second in CUSA and is among the top 70 nationally in three categories. The Miners sit 34th in the NCAA in save percentage (.857), 43rd in goals against average (.625), and 63rd in shutout percentage (.500). Individually Angelina Amparano is 59th in goals-against average (.667), 48th in save percentage (.8488) and 49th in shutouts (three). Mina Rodriguez ranks 57th in assists per game (0.50).

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
UTEP's five goals against is the fewest through the first eight games of a season since 2016 when the Miners gave up four goals in eight contests.

AMPING UP THE PRESSURE
The Miners tallied 12 total shots against Texas Southern, which marks their sixth game this season with double-digit shots.

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Ana Quintero and Mina Rodriguez have been pacing the team on offense this season and are the first two Miners to reach double-digit shot attempts (12 and 10, respectively) on the year. Quintero also leads the team in shots on goal (five) while Rodriguez is tied for second with Sheyliene Patolo (four).

FIRING SQUAD
Nineteen different UTEP players have registered a shot through the first eight games of the season, with 17 tallying at least two shots and six Miners registering five or more.

GET THAT CORN(ER) OUTTA MY FACE!
The Miners have not allowed a goal in 23 corner kick tries from opposing teams through the first eight games of the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: KENNESAW STATE
The Owls are 0-6-1 on the year. Macie Rainwater paces the team with two goals, followed by Tianna Rivera with one. Rivera tops the team in assists with two while also leading in total shots (11) and shots on goal (six). Twelve different players have recorded a shot for the Owls. Netminding duties have been shared by three keepers, Charlee Bernal, Aryana Rosenblum, and Caroline Wehr. Bernal has started all four appearances, recording 21 saves and allowing seven goals in 62 shots faced. Rosenblum has started three of four appearances, tallying 20 saves and allowing nine goals in 59 shots faced. Finally, Wehr has made one appearance, making four saves and allowing two goals in 17 shots faced. As a team, the Owls are leading CUSA and sit 19th nationally in saves per game (6.86).

SERIES HISTORY WITH THE OWLS
This will be the first ever matchup between UTEP and Kennesaw State, who joined CUSA ahead of the 2024 season.

LOOKING AHEAD
The Miners are back at University Field next week when they welcome Middle Tennessee to The Borderland on Thursday (9/26) for their CUSA home opener.

TICKETS
For tickets, fans can call 915-747-UTEP or visit UTEPMiners.com/Tickets for more information.

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