EL PASO, Texas – Undefeated through four matches (2-0-2) for the first time in a decade, the UTEP soccer team will conclude a three-game roadswing when it competes at Northern Arizona at 2 p.m. MDT (1 p.m. Arizona time) on Sunday. It is the lone matchup of the week for both the Miners and Lumberjacks (1-1-1). The match will be streamed on ESPN+ (subscription required).
 
Get To Know Northern Arizona
Northern Arizona is 1-1-1 thus far in 2026. It started things with a bang, drilling UCR on the road, 2-0, in its season opener on Aug. 12. The Lumberjacks have been shut out the past two tilts, falling at New Mexico, 2-0, on Aug. 20 before playing San Diego to a scoreless draw on Aug. 23 last time out. Micala Boex and Ava Hinske each have scored on the season. Boex scored eight goals last year on the way to earning All-Big Sky second team honors. She was tabbed the league's preseason MVP in 2026. Lexi Saveski has earned the starting nod as GK in all three matches, recording 12 total saves while posting a pair of shutouts. The Lumberjacks, who were picked fourth in the preseason poll, went 6-6-7 in 2025, including 2-3-3 in league play.  
 
Series History With Northern Arizona
UTEP is 4-2 all-time against NAU, but Sunday's matchup will mark just the second time that the Miners will venture to Flagstaff, Ariz. The two sides most recently squared off in an entertaining back-and-forth affair when the Lumberjacks held off UTEP, 3-2, in the inaugural contest of the Gibbs Keeton era at University Field on Aug. 17, 2023.
 
And Then There Was One
At 2-0-2 on the season, UTEP is the only program in the Mountain West to sport an unblemished record (through Aug. 27). All 10 other members of the league have lost at least one match.
 
Still Unbeaten
After back-to-back wins to begin the season at 2-0 for the first time since 2013, UTEP maintained its undefeated record by securing a pair of ties on the road most recently. The effort improved the Miners to 2-0-2 on the year. The Orange and Blue's unblemished mark through four contests is the longest streak to start the season in 10 years. The 2016 squad bolted out of the gates at 4-0-2 before sustaining its first loss.
 
Defense Does It
UTEP has conceded one goal in 2026, which didn't even happen during the run of play, but rather on a penalty kick at Tarleton State. The one tally allowed after four matches is the fewest since 2014 when the Miners notched four shutouts in as many tilts to start the season. Savanah Finley has been credited with two clean sheets while Finley and Ava Brandt teamed up for a combined shutout in the 5-0 thrashing of DII program Sul Ross on Aug. 12.
 
Shutout City
UTEP has registered shutouts in three of the first four contests of the campaign. It marks the first time that the Miners have achieved the feat since also doing so in 2016 and the seventh occasion since the program's inception in 1996. The Orange and Blue previously accomplished that in 2014, 2011, 2008, 2006 and 1997.
 
Zeta Stepping Up
Sophomore Zeta McDannels has picked up her offensive intensity in her second year in the Sun City. She has produced a team-high tying two goals, surpassing her total (one) as a freshman. McDannels paces the squad in both shots (13) and shots on goal (five).
 
Balanced Scoring
Five different Miners have scored in 2026, including a pair each by co-team leaders Zeta McDannels and Ashlyn Neireiter. Both had one tally a year ago.
 
Continuity In The Starting XI
Nine Miners have started every match of the season, affording head coach Gibbs Keeton some much-needed continuity out of the gates. Kialie Hudson and Shawna Larson have earned a starting nod in all three of their matchups, resulting in a very stable look for the Orange and Blue to commence the campaign.
 
In The Rankings
The Miners' strong start to the season has put them among the Mountain West leaders and within the top-100 nationally for multiple categories. Among them are assists per game (2.25-first/61st), goal differential (+7, second/37th), goals against average (.250-first/19th), points per game (6.25-second/83rd), save percentage (.923-first/27th), scoring offense (2.0-second/80th), shots per game (18.3-first/37th), shots on goal per game (8.0-first/49th), shutout percentage (.750-first/19th) and win-lost-tied percentage (.750-second/63rd). Individually, Savanah Finley has turned away 91.7 percent of shots on goal (second/41st) while recording a pair of shutouts (tied first/19th). Ella Rorabaugh and Dannique Wilson both have two assists (tied first/56th) while Zeta McDannels and Ashlyn Neireiter share the team lead for goals at two (second Mountain West).
 
Good Start At Home
UTEP opened the season with a pair of home wins, improving it to 179-80-25 all-time at University Field since the program's inception. Helping the cause is an elevation of 4,200 feet and a passionate fan base. The Miners will be back in El Paso to play host to San Diego on Sept. 3.
 
Turning Over A New Leaf
UTEP is unbeaten through four games for the first time in a decade. The Miners' offense has been explosive with eight goals, which is more than halfway toward last season's total (13). UTEP is also one win shy of equaling its total (three) from a year ago.
 
Roster Rundown
UTEP has a solid nucleus of returnees in place for 2026. The Miners returned seven starters (GK Savanah Finley, MF Anai Lopez, MF Zeta McDannels, D Ashlee Mora, D Ashlyn Neireiter, D Olivia Roskos and MF Maya Vitoria) and seven others (MF Yesenia Cisneros, F Kaitlyn Duntley, D Avery Easley, MF Cassie Garza, F Ava Grosso, MF Ella Rorabaugh and MF Dannique Wilson) to give it 14 letter winners total in the fold from last year. There are also three players (MF Damaris Cisneros, MF Kialie Hudson and D Sasha Lucero) ready to rock from 2025 who sat out last season. UTEP added 12 newcomers, with five DI transfers (GK Jaylyn Hammond, Grambling State, F Shawna Larson, Sacramento State, MF Alana Lawless-Felarca, East Texas A&M, D Gianna Wilbur, Miami (Ohio) and D Macey Williams, Saint Peter's University), five freshmen (MF Kylie Alvarez, MF Bethlehem Daniel, F Haylee Lancaster, D Nyalah Reeves, D Sophia Tovar) and one each from the JUCO (F Valeria Agudelo) and NAIA (GK Ava Brandt) level.
 
Neireiter Never Comes Off The Pitch
UTEP senior D Ashlyn Neireiter takes fitness to a whole new level. She has gone the full 90 minutes in 35 of the past 38 matches, missing a combined 20 minutes of action since the beginning of 2024. Additionally, she has started every game (55) of her career.
 
A Trio Of Captains
Seniors Kialie Hudson and Ashlyn Neireiter and junior Ashlee Mora will have leadership roles in 2026, with each being named a captain for the team.
 
FIFA 2026 U-20 Women's World Cup Beckons For Mora
UTEP standout Ashlee Mora is slated to represent Mexico at the upcoming 2026 U-20 Women's World Cup in Poland. The event is set to run from Sept. 5-27.
 
31st Season Of UTEP Soccer
The 2026 campaign marks the 31st season in program history, with the Miners sporting an all-time record of 287-239-57.
 
Keeton Era Hits Year Four
The 2026 season will also serve as the fourth at the helm for El Paso native Gibbs Keeton. Buoying the gaffer are assistant coaches Morgan McDougal and Jared Hallman, who are also in their fourth years.
 

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