UTEP Miners

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LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Zeta McDannels (52') scored her team-leading sixth goal on a brilliant service from Macey Williams to help the UTEP soccer team rally for a 1-1 tie at I-10 rival NM State Thursday. Savanah Finley was credited with one save for the Miners (6-0-4) who continued the program's best start in 21 years while also concluding nonconference play undefeated following the hard-fought draw against the Aggies (1-6-2).
 
Thalia Smith (32') put NM State on the board, but UTEP stayed composed and eventually found the equalizer. The Miners also moved to 3-0-3 on the road, their best effort through six matches on a year since 2013 (5-0-1).
 
UTEP controlled good chunks of the contest, outshooting NM State, 15-6, including 5-2 for shots on goal. The Miners also earned five corner kicks.
 
The Aggies created the first try (1') of the affair, but Sydnee Johnson was well wide of the frame. After taking some time to probe the home side's defense, the Miners were knocking on the door with an indirect free kick in the box. After a touch to make the ball live, Dannique Wilson fired (16') into the wall. Zeta McDannels tracked the rebound and her rocket (16') prompted a diving stop by Karolanne Lafortune. The ball nearly trickled past her before the keeper controlled it.
 
UTEP kept coming as Wilson's attempt (22') was blocked over the line for a corner kick. The Miners couldn't convert, with the Aggies clearing out of harm's way. McDannels had another opportunity (29') which was struck wide. After Valeria Agudelo's shot (32') was blocked, NM State was able to get a counterattack. A cross from the left wing found the foot of Thalia Smith, who sent the ball (32') past a diving Savanah Finley to the far corner of the frame.
 
The Orange and Blue regrouped after conceding, earning another corner kick. After the service into the area was sent away, UTEP reset its attack leading to a blast (41') from Shawna Larson that necessitated a diving save from Lafortune.
 
The Miners nearly found the equalizer early in the second stanza. After the shot (50') from Anai Lopez was blocked, Agudelo laced (50') one off the crossbar that eventually went over for a goal kick. Less than two minutes later, the first foul in the contest against NM State afforded the Orange and Blue a free kick from a bit past midfield. Williams played a perfect ball into the area where McDannels elevated above the rest to hammer home the header and knot the match, 1-1.
 
UTEP wasn't satisfied, continuing to pressure. The Orange and Blue won another corner kick (55') that led to a look (56') for Ashlyn Neireiter, but it was blocked away. McDannels was in search of another second-half brace, but the attempt (62') was gobbled up by Lafortune. The Aggies then secured a corner, which led to a try (66') from Azalie Floriano that went high.
 
After a clearance was blocked, NM State crossed a promising ball into the area. Neireiter tracked it and wisely drilled it over the line to erase the chance. UTEP then fought off consecutive corners, including sending a service away with a header. The Miners were back on the offensive with a turnaround blast (76') that skipped it before being stopped by Lafortune.
 
The Aggies were awarded a great chance with a free kick in the attacking zone. Yuliana Negrete drilled (78') it, but Finley was up to the task with a leaping save. The Miners then got to the ball and were fouled to end the threat.
 
NM State tried to pull one out in the waning seconds with a corner kick (90'), but Finley leapt to punch it out despite being fouled as the final horn sounded.
 
UTEP will embark on a new era when it commences league play with its first Mountain West match at UNLV at 7 p.m. PT/8 p.m. MT on Sept. 24.
 

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  Donation · The University of Texas at El Paso · GiveCampus
 
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