Game Book
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – Behind early goals from
Zeta McDannels (9') and
Haylee Lancaster (24'), the UTEP soccer team ran its winning streak to four while also securing the best start to a season since 2005 with a 2-1 victory at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Sunday afternoon.
The Miners (6-0-2) pounced on the Islanders (3-2-2) from the opening whistle, withstanding a wind-aided Olimpico score from Emmie Barton (25') to hand them their first home loss (3-1-2) of the season. UTEP put on a master class in defense, keeping Texas A&M-CC without a shot on goal after Barton's tally. Furthermore, the Islands had just one total shot (50') in the entire second half.
At 6-0-2, UTEP has its longest undefeated streak to begin a campaign since the 2005 NCAA tournament team (14-0-1) and third-best ever in program history (12-0, 2002). The Miners have peeled off four consecutive victories for the first time since 2017 and are undefeated on the road (3-0-2) through at least five matches for the initial occasion since 2013 (5-0-1). Aiding in that cause was sweeping a road trip for the first time in a decade.
Dannique Wilson was credited with her team-leading fourth assist of the season on McDannels' howitzer, which was her third goal of the week and squad-best fifth of the campaign.
Savanah Finley was credited with two saves in the winning effort.
"It was a great road TRIP for the Miners and another important step in what is becoming a historic season," UTEP head coach
Gibbs Keeton said. "I'm most proud of is the way this group continues to grow in our soccer identity. We're connected, we're understanding our roles and responsibilities, and we're beginning to really trust one another in the moments that matter. The goal scorers will get the recognition they deserve, but those moments are a reflection of the work and commitment of the entire group. We're defending together, attacking together and competing for one another, and that's what makes this team special. It's an understatement to say how proud I am of our staff and our players. They've earned every bit of the acknowledgment they're receiving. We'll enjoy this trip and our focus has already shifted to next Thursday and another opportunity to go on the road and put our identity on the field."
UTEP pressured almost instantly, with a laced attempt (2') being corralled by Islanders' GK Jessie Spurrell. Following a foul on the Miners, Katie Porter lifted a shot (5') that floated over the wall, but Finley reacted well to dive and push it errant. She then pounced on the loose change.
The Orange and Blue were quickly back on the offensive, and they found paydirt. Off a throw-in, Wilson backed her way into the box toward the goal line. She then suddenly turned and laced the pass toward McDannels, who had sprung free to one-time the shot (9') home for her fifth goal of the year.
Anai Lopez had an opportunity on a free kick (11'), but Spurrell was able to come up with the stop. The Islanders put Finley to work again, but she dove and denied Porter's rocket (19') that was screaming toward the lower part of the goal. She then punched the service on the ensuing corner away.
UTEP extended its advantage to 2-0 thanks to an outstanding individual effort from Lancaster. She stole the ball from a defender and instantly bolted in on frame. Lancaster then blasted (24') it home past Spurrell.
After a water break, A&M-CC secured a corner kick. With wind whipping inward, the service (25') from Barton hung in the air and went over the outstretched arms of Finley for an Olimpio goal.
UTEP earned a corner kick on its next foray into the Islanders' portion of the pitch.
Ashlyn Neireiter had an opportunity, but the header (27') bounced in and was stopped by Spurrell. A&M-CC won multiple corner kicks over the next several minutes of action, which the Miners were able to successfully defend as they carried the 2-1 lead into the locker room.
Lancaster absolutely drilled (56') a turnaround shot in the box that Spurrell somehow managed to make a diving save. The ball had such pace that it bounced but went errant of the net. UTEP couldn't capitalize on the corner kick. The Islanders tried to counter, but the Miners tracked back nicely to win a goal kick.
UTEP was then back on attack, with a shot (61') by freshman
Bethlehem Daniel trickling just wide. The home side garnered another corner kick (63'), which was handled nicely by the Orange and Blue's backline.
With the wind at their back, the Miners were able to possess better and control better to limit the opportunities for the home side. UTEP had a couple of opportunities off free kicks, but the home team's defense cleared the services. The Orange and Blue also did well to hit balls to the corner and salt away time on the clock. Furthermore, taking advantage of the wind, Finley boomed multiple balls that traveled the length of the pitch. The strategy paid dividends, with the Islanders not managing a shot over the final 40 minutes of the contest.
The Miners will look to keep sizzling when they play at I-10 rival NM State at 7 p.m. MT Thursday.
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