UTEP Soccer opens season with scoreless tie
Luis Gonzalez, Staff Reporter
The orange ball got rolling at University Field as UTEP Women’s Soccer program began its 19th season. In front of a loud crowd of 1,026 fans the Miners battled the visiting Texas State Bobcats to a scoreless tie.
Two ten minute overtime periods were not enough to break the tie and on this night both teams were very evenly matched.
The hardnosed and high pressure defense from the Bobcats squad made it difficult for the Lady Miners to find attacking opportunities in the first half. With the Bobcats sitting back in their own third and relying solely on the counterattack to produce any kind of offense, UTEP had the initiative and the ball for most of the game.
The Bobcats did most of their damage in the first half finding success and their best opportunities of the match of the counterattack. Miner keeper Sarah Dilling recorded two saves in the match, was up for the challenge and kept the shutout on the scoreboard.
Halftime adjustments helped the Miners neutralize the counterattack in the second half limiting Texas State to a single shot in the whole second 45 minutes. Coach Kevin Cross pointed to the midfield as the key change.
“We were too off their players and we also made some personnel adjustments,” Cross said, “All that stuff seemed to work out.”
UTEP’s best offensive chances came off of shots from midfielder Mackenzie German and defender Sydney Rapp. On both occasions Texas State keeper Caitlynn Rinehart was able to come up with the save.
Dilling spoke about the difficulties of attacking a team that sits back, like Texas State did.
“They were definitely packing it in making it difficult for us to penetrate thorough the middle and the outsides” Dilling said, “it was tough to get past those backs, there were a lot of them there.”
The Miners will now go on the road to face Abilene Christian on Sunday, before coming back home to host the New Mexico State Aggies on Wednesday. Coach Cross says the team is aware of the quick turnaround and will be ready for the upcoming games.
“We have five games in a ten day stretch, but I think the girls would rather play games than practice so well be very motivated for both of these games” Cross said.
Luis Gonzalez may be reached at [email protected]
