DALLAS – Junior standout Ashlyn Neireiter has been named the Conference USA Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league office revealed Tuesday. It is the first such honor for Neireiter and the initial weekly award for the Miners since 2023.
 
"I'm very proud of Ashlyn, who is the cornerstone and captain of our team," UTEP head coach Gibbs Keeton said. "Ashlyn is a fearless warrior, and she propelled our team to victory on Thursday. I'm looking forward to seeing many others follow her lead."
 
The co-captain anchored a UTEP defense that allowed only one goal in two games on the week while also providing the match winner on a header off a corner kick that lifted the Miners past Tarleton State, 1-0, on Aug. 28.
 
She played all 180 minutes of action, helping UTEP possess and dictate the pace of play that resulted in a 44-11 advantage for shots, including 20-4 for shots on goal. Making the defensive effort extra impressive against Tarleton State is that Texans forward Stevie Reynolds had entered the week rating third in the country for goals (five) in only four games. Her play also helped the Orange and Blue outshoot SFA, 26-6, including 10-1 for tries on target, on Aug. 31.
 
Neireiter, who has started and played every minute of every match, has helped UTEP lead CUSA in both goals against average (0.667-60th NCAA) and shutout percentage (50.0 percent-58th NCAA).
 
The Orange and Blue will continue the 2025 season with a trip to the Gem State this week. The Miners will lock up at Idaho at 7 p.m. MT Thursday before playing at Boise State at 1 p.m. MT on Sunday.
 
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