Game Book
RENO, Nev. – Despite goals from
Haylee Lancaster (33') and
Ashlyn Neireiter (85'), the UTEP soccer team was upended at Nevada, 3-2, on Wednesday evening.
The Wolf Pack (4-12-1, 1-6-1 MW) took the early lead on a score from Carmen Coronado (6'). The Miners (8-6-3, 2-6 MW) did well to recover and pull even prior to half thanks to Lancaster. The home team pulled back in front with a goal from Daniela Mayorga-Torres (57') before the insurance tally by Olivia Loomis (75'). That loomed large as it prevented Neireiter's goal, which came on a PK, from tying the tilt.
UTEP had some great chances with defenders clearing one off the line and another shot being blocked after it bested the keeper. The latter was by Lancaster, and it would have tied the tilt, 2-2, at the time. The Miners racked up 16 shots, including eight on target. They also registered four corner kicks.
Savanah Finley notched a season-high tying seven saves while the Wolf Pack's Iyan Hernandez had six.
The Wolf Pack had a golden opportunity early with a header (2') from Leslie Jacobo-Duran hitting the crossbar and staying out. They created another a few minutes later, and this time it paid dividends. A couple of quick passes led to a look in the box for Coronado, who snuck the shot (6') past Finley just inside the post.
UTEP regrouped and tried to get on the board off a set piece, but the try (12') by
Macey Williams was errant. The Wolf Pack went back on the attack, but Finley made a diving denial of Jasmine Navarro's shot (16'). The rebound was sent high.
The Miners appeared to tie the contest with a header (22') by Neireiter. It was ruled a goal on the field but taken off the board following a VAR decision.
Dannique Wilson (26') then was robbed on a partial breakaway, with the shot being snatched out of the air by Hernandez.
The close call didn't deter the Orange and Blue, who found the equalizer after a frenetic sequence in the area. Following a throw-in,
Zeta McDannels played a pass. The defense stepped in and tried to clear it, but Lancaster came up with it and laced home (33') the game-tying goal.
Finley kept the game deadlocked with a point-blank stop of Chloe Ayonon, who fired the shot (39') that she managed to fight off. The chance stemmed from a corner kick. The Miners pressed up in the waning minutes, and the affair was tied, 1-1, through 45 minutes of play.
UTEP did well to earn a corner kick (50') early in the second stanza, but Nevada got to the service first. The Miners then had a free kick. Wilson blasted a shot (51'). They kept coming as
Ashlee Mora's attempt (52') whistled wide.
Nevada's first true chance of the second half resulted in paydirt. A ball was played in and then sent right back out for a long-distance shot (57') by Torres that bested Finley.
Once again, the Miners went back to work. Wilson fed a pass to
Zeta McDannels on the wing. She crossed it into the area only to have Hernandez boldly punch it away. UTEP couldn't quite get to the rebound. It continued to attack, securing another corner kick that didn't pay dividends.
Bethlehem Daniel fired a howitzer (72') that forced a diving save from Hernandez. Lancaster looked to have the equalizer when her shot (73') bested Hernandez. A defender was behind her, though, and cleared it away to keep it out of the net.
Anai Lopez then had a more conventional attempt (73'), which was saved.
Nevada went back to work and tacked on an insurance tally from Loomis.
As it had done all night, the Orange and Blue refused to quit. They were fouled in the box to earn a penalty kick. Neireiter stepped to the ball and ripped a clinical finish past a helpless Hernandez.
The Miners were frantic in the final moments, but they couldn't complete the comeback. McDannels forced a diving save (86') in what was the best chance down the stretch.
UTEP will try to split the road trip when it competes at UC Davis at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT Sunday.
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