EL PASO, Texas – A suffocating effort on defense was complemented by a sensational header goal off a corner kick by co-captain Ashlyn Neireiter (69') as the UTEP soccer team defeated Tarleton State, 1-0, at University Field Thursday evening. The Miners (2-2-1) were undeterred by a nearly two-hour rain delay right as the match was set to start, controlling play from the opening minute through the final whistle en route to their second home triumph of the season.
 
Mina Rodriguez played a perfect ball to the back post on the set piece to Neireiter, who banged home the header past a helpless Texans' (2-2-1) GK Emma Barnes for her first goal of the campaign. It marked the initial goal conceded on the year by Barnes, who finished the match with nine saves. That included her robbing Neireiter in the first half on another header and turning away a point-blank shot from Ana Quintero (six shots, four on goal) that would have given the Miners some breathing room, but it proved to be a moot point.
 
UTEP dictated the pace of play, possessed it well (60-40 percent) and when the Texans did manage to generate some offense, they ran into the stonewall of Savannah Finley. The freshman GK compiled three saves for what is already her third clean sheet of the young season. She also managed her box well, punching out a service and booming some clearances as TSU attackers raced in.  
 
The home side outpaced the Texans 18-5 in shots, including 10-3 for shots on goal. The Miners also doubled them up in corner kicks (6-3) while shutting down the nation's third leading scorer (Stevie Reynolds). She had entered on a heater with five goals in four games, but she managed only one shot in the contest, which was collected by Finley.
 
UTEP has recorded three shutouts within the first five games in back-to-back seasons, which is a program first.
 
"We felt the game was going to be similar to the ACU home opener, and it was as far as chances were concerned. The difference today was that we scored first and then shoutout for the shutout," UTEP head coach Gibbs Keeton said. "We had a captain's performance at center back. For her (Ashlyn) to score, and then to help us with the shutout was exceptional and exactly what we were hoping for. I'm so proud of the team, especially to deal with that (long weather delay)."  
 
After a little back-and-forth at the onset of the affair, TSU created the first opportunity with a corner during the seventh minute. The Texans managed to get a shot, but good marking from the Miners kept it well off target.
 
The next foray into the offensive zone for the visitors was snuffed out by Sarina Villa Cuellar, who headed the ball away powerfully.  
 
UTEP pushed the ball up the pitch in the ninth minute, with Rodriguez finding some space to operate. The Texans closed quickly and blocked the shot, which went over the line for a corner kick. UTEP played it short but was unable to reignite the attack in that instant.
 
The Miners had their first clean look courtesy of Hayden McMillan, who spun in the area before being turned away on a low shot in the center of the frame by Barnes. After a temporary clear, UTEP regained possession. This led to a booming shot from Olivia Roskos that hung in the air before coming down with pace, causing Barnes to come out to make the save in traffic
 
Roskos was on the offensive again soon thereafter, but her attempt in the 19th minute wasn't on target.
 
UTEP kept coming as Ashlee Mora touched a ball to Ava Grosso, who, found Quintero. She did a reverse flick, which was just errant in the 27th minute. UTEP had its best chance of the half off a free kick in the 30th minute. The ball was played ahead to Neireiter, who timed her jump perfectly for a header. Barnes made a brilliant save with a dive to her right to keep the match scoreless.  
 
The Miners picked up where they left off in the initial moments of the second stanza. Anai Lopez beat her defender down the wing and then crossed it into the area. Eve Barry ran onto it perfectly, but her shot was high. TSU put some pressure on with a counterattack. The Texans lobbed the ball into the area where Finley confidently left the line to punch it away amongst a couple of TSU attackers.
 
Soon it was the Miners' turn again. After a couple of give-and-go passes, Rodriguez found herself alone at the top of the 18-yard box. She unleashed a ball with plenty of pace that was collected cleanly by Barnes. Lopez tested Barnes in the 54th minute with a low, hard ball that skipped in on frame. Barnes tracked it and snuffed it out.
 
The Texans looked to get their attack in gear, but UTEP's defense blocked a shot in the 62nd minute. The Miners raced up the pitched immediately, leading to a shot that was ripped wide by Quintero.
 
An unlucky touch looked to set up TSU deep in the Orange and Blue's territory, but Villa Cuellar read the play perfectly and cleared it away. The Miners went back on the offensive, and the dam finally broke. Off the corner kick, Rodriguez placed it perfectly to the far post. Neireiter leapt for the header, and this time, Barnes was left helpless as it tickled the twine.
 
Armed with the 1-0 lead, UTEP kept its foot on the pedal. Aside from a couple of relatively easy saves by Finley, the Miners really didn't allow the Texans much of an opportunity to salvage a tie. The Orange and Blue continued to attack, with Quintero doing the bulk of the load, but Barnes was up to the task every time. The sophomore's best chance came later in the latter stages of the second half when a thru ball sent her in with space, but Barnes fought off the rocket. It ultimately didn't matter as UTEP cruised down the stretch to close out with the impressive victory.
 
The Miners will look to make it a perfect week of play at home when they play host to SFA at 1 p.m. MT Sunday. To help beat the heat, Kona Ice will be available for purchase on site. It will also be "Heroes Day," giving fans the chance to celebrate all heroes.
 
Tickets may be purchased for only $10 by calling (915) 747-UTEP, emailing tickets@utep.edu, visiting www.UTEPMiners.com/Tickets or going in person at 201 Glory Road (Brumbelow Building, UTEP Campus), Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Gates at University Field open one hour prior to kickoff, where fans may buy tickets on site.
 
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