|
UTEP Soccer Newsletter: Winter 2013
 |
Miners Find Redemption In 2013
From the opening whistle in August to the final signal of an overtime goal that ended UTEP's season in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Championships, there was a noticeable sense of urgency for the Miner soccer program in 2013.
UTEP went 12-6-3, including 5-3-2 within C-USA play, to finish third out of 16 teams in the revamped league, while playing with a passion and purpose every time out.
The Miners battled to a very respectable mark of 2-2-1 on the road in C-USA contests, with both victories coming by one goal. That effort, combined with the Orange and Blue defending University Field to the tune of 3-1-1, resulted in a overall record of 5-3-2 in the revamped Conference USA.
While each victory was sweet, there were three in particular that stood out.
The Miners, who were 2-2-2 through six league games and in a fight to secure a spot in the C-USA Championships, dug deep to pull out a 1-0 victory at 2012 C-USA tournament runner-up Tulsa on Oct. 20.
UTEP then returned home to topple UTSA, 2-0, on "Senior Night" on Oct. 25, before posting a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph against eventual C-USA regular-season & tournament champion Colorado College on Oct. 27.
The three-game winning streak when the season was on the line vaulted UTEP up in the standings and also ensured a lasting, positive memory for the year.
The Miners earned a first-round bye to the league's pinnacle event with their 17 points.
In the C-USA quarterfinals the Miners battled East Carolina to a scoreless 90 minutes before ultimately succumbing on a bad-luck goal in OT on Nov. 6, to conclude the campaign at 12-6-3. The six setbacks tied as the fourth-fewest sum since the program was launched in 1996 while its winning percentage of .643 was the best since 2009 & tied as the seventh-highest in 18 years of soccer at the school.
|
 |
 |
Pressure, What Pressure?
Games decided by one goal generally show a lot about the character of the team & its program. The Miners excelled in that area in 2013, playing pressure-free soccer on the way to forging a record of 9-5-0 in matches decided by just one goal.
The nine wins tied the 2005 team for most such victories in school history. The 14 contests of that nature also matched the most in a single season in program annals, with the 2008 squad (8-6) also doing so.
UTEP's drive and desire to never quit also resulted in them setting the school record for overtime games at seven. Coach Cross' charges compiled a mark of 2-2-3 in the situation to establish a program standard for points earned in overtime contests in a single campaign at seven.
|
 |
Road Warriors
Having success on the road is one of the most challenging tasks for any college soccer team. The Miners made this a point of emphasis in 2013, working with assistant coach Heather Clark to develop a new mentality away from home.
The result was a sparking 6-2-1 record on the road. The Miners set a school standard for longest winning streak on the road (four), in addition to matching the 2005 NCAA Tournament team's standard for lengthiest undefeated stretch at six (4-0-2) away from home.
|
Sensational Seniors
The 2013 season was one with a lot of success, and the Miners' five seniors deserve a lot of credit for that. Each of them played a big role for UTEP this year, and we encourage fans to check out the feature articles by Bill Knight on each of them.
Jade Babcock
Kenah Linger
Tori Martyn
Azia Nicholson
Gina Soto
|
4th-Annual Media PK Challenge A Big Hit
|
Winter Camp Planned
For years area soccer players have had the chance to improve their skillset through the UTEP Soccer Summer Camps. The camps have been a big success, and as result the Miner soccer program is excited to announce the creation of the UTEP Soccer College Winter Camps.
The camp, open to all soccer players ages 7-18, is the perfect camp for players that want to know exactly what it's like to play college soccer! The UTEP Soccer staff will first run campers through a college practice covering various topics like possession, 1 v 1's, and finishing. Then players will put into practice what they've learned in a game-realistic scrimmage! Campers will need to bring cleats, a soccer ball and a water bottle to camp.
The cost is $75 if campers register on or before Nov. 29 and $90 on or after Nov. 30. All campers will receive a dri-fit camp t-shirt, and the camp will be held from Dec. 6-8, 2013 at University Field. On both Friday and Saturday it will be from 6-9 p.m. while Sunday the camp will run 1-4 p.m. For complete information, download the camp brochure in PDF format..
|
UTEP Garners National Recognition As A School
UTEP was just ranked among the best universities in the nation by Washington Monthly Magazine.
The ranking adds to UTEP's reputation for making a big difference in the lives of our students, the El Paso region and our nation.
|
 |
Join Us On Social Media
UTEP has been so lucky to get such great fan support throughout the years. To make the relationship even better, the Miners are now interacting more than ever with its fans through social media. Be sure to join the more than 1,000 fans to LIKE us on Facebook if you haven't already.
Also come join the 800+ fans to FOLLOW us on Twitter if you are not yet doing that. We look forward to hearing from you all!
|
This Is UTEP Soccer
For those who need a crash course on UTEP soccer, you've come to the right place. The Miners have been embraced by El Paso, and they have rewarded the faithful by turning into a league and regional power. Consider the following accomplishments under head coach Kevin Cross (* denotes prior to start of 2012 season):
- 146 wins to rate t23rd in the country since 2002
- 11 straight seasons with at least 10 victories
- Ranked 3rd in C-USA with 106 wins after becoming a member in 2005
- Played in three league championship games, including in 2011
- Dominant record of 93-16-5 at home since 2002
- Scored 544 goals to place 13th in the country since 2002
- Four-time C-USA attendance leader & 45,821 fans since 2005
- Earned 138 athletic honors & 203 academic awards in its 17-year history*
- Won at Texas to advance to the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament
- Been represented at both the FIFA Women's World Cup & Summer Olympics
|
| Top 10 Safest Big Cities In The Nation |
Top 10 Most Dangerous Big Cities In The Nation |
|
1. EL PASO, TEXAS
|
1. Detroit, Mich. |
| 2. San Diego, Calif. |
2. Baltimore, Md. |
| 3. New York, N.Y. |
3. Memphis, Tenn. |
| 4. Austin, Texas. |
4. Philadelphia, Pa. |
| 5. San Jose, Calif. |
5. Washington, D.C. |
| 6. Los Angeles, Calif. |
6. Indianapolis, Ind. |
| 7. Portland, Ore. |
7. Milwaukee, Wis. |
| 8. Charlotte, N.C. |
8. Columbus, Ohio |
| 9. Seattle, Wash. |
9. Oklahoma City, Okla. |
| 10. San Antonio, Texas |
10. Houston, Texas |
|
