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FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – Freshman
Haylee Lancaster (85') came through in the clutch with a brilliant late goal to help propel the unbeaten UTEP soccer team to an exciting 1-0 victory at Northern Arizona Sunday afternoon.
Savanah Finley registered five saves for her third clean sheet this year as the Miners (3-0-2) continued their longest unbeaten start to a season since 2016 (5-0-2). The Lumberjacks slipped to 1-2-1 after being blanked at home.
UTEP has registered four shutouts over the first five tilts, equaling the most at this juncture of the campaign in a decade. Finley was credited with four of her five stops in the opening frame before UTEP picked up its pace over the final 45 minutes. While NAU held an overall edge (22-14) in shots, the Miners enjoyed the 7-5 cushion for shots on goal.
NAU played the final 16 minutes down a player following a red card given to Maddie Jost upon review, with UTEP taking full advantage for the match-winning tally courtesy of Lancaster. The Lumberjacks' netminders Lexi Saveski (four) and Emery Copeland (two) combined for six saves for the home side, with Copeland yielding the tally on a laser by Lancaster after Wilson set her up with a deft touch pass.
Lancaster's goal was the latest match winner for the Miners since
Mina Rodriguez (87') sent UTEP past LA Tech, 2-1, on Oct. 19, 2024.
After a misfire on a free kick by NAU, the Miners methodically worked the ball up the pitch. A couple of passes were strung together, leading to a look on the left wing for
Alana Lawless-Felarca. She blasted a rocket (7'), which was cleanly corralled by Saveski. The Lumberjacks tested Finley, who turned away the skipping shot (8') by Micala Boex for her first save.
Anai Lopez generated a chance (12') after beating her defender, but Saveski handled it cleanly. The home side was then on the attack again, but Finley was up to the task by punching out the foray (17') from Nadege Robinson. From a set piece,
Haylee Lancaster forced a stop by Saveski on a well-struck ball (27') headed toward the upper-left part of the frame.
Finley delivered the best save of the match by pushing a bouncing shot (29') with force from Kaylee Muniz wide of the net. UTEP created its best opportunity of the frame with a long ball that found the foot of Lancaster. She laced the shot (37') that was gobbled up by Saveski.
Following a corner kick from NAU, the ball was partially cleared. Maya Wells drilled a shot (41') that forced Finley to dive to her right for the stop. It bounced free for a moment before she quickly pounced on it to snuff out the chance.
UTEP turned up its pressure at the beginning of the second stanza with a trio of tries in the first five minutes. That included
Anai Lopez forcing a diving save by Copeland on a whistling attempt (48'). The Miners kept coming, with
Zeta McDannels lacing a shot (52') just over the crossbar. McDannels directed one on frame with a skipping attempt (55') that was smothered by Copeland.
Ashlyn Neireiter's close marking of Kristen Puels cut the angle down in a dangerous situation, allowing Finley to calmly collect the tap (62') at the near post, in the only shot on goal for NAU in the second half.
UTEP created its initial corner kick of the affair, leading to a shot (66') that sailed high by
Kialie Hudson. NAU's potential one-on-one look was erased after
Macey Williams raced back to clear it out of harm's way a couple minutes later. The Orange and Blue then successfully defended consecutive corner kicks. It proved vital with NAU's Jost sent off following a review, forcing it to play with 10 over the final 16 minutes of action.
After some initial probing, UTEP found paydirt. Wilson split through the defense before placing a pass to Lancaster. She controlled it and powered home the shot to put the Miners in front. UTEP's defense took care of the rest, not allowing a shot in the waning minutes to close out the match in style.
The Miners will return to action at home against San Diego at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. It is the "Student Appreciation Back-to-School" game, with a pre-contest (while supplies last) BBQ. There will also be a concession deal where individuals receive a free cookie with a purchase.
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