Another game, another win for the UTEP Women Soccer Team who continue their undefeated start to the 2014 season with a victory over visiting Southern Utah Thunderbirds.
Three different Miners scored, including El Paso native Bri Barreiro, to lead the women in front of over 400 fans to a 4-2 final.
After a nine day stretch in which the Miners played five games, the team got five days to rest and prepare for the Thunderbirds.
The visitors were coming off a five goal win in their previous game, but an early own goal put them behind on the scoreboard and UTEP never gave them a chance to recover.
Two more first half goals, including a beauty from midfielder Taylor Kidd at the 41st minute, put the Miners ahead by three.
Kidd received the ball along the left sideline in enemy territory off a throw in. Without much hesitation, UTEP’s number 18 fired a shot across the goal and over the opposing keeper. Southern Utah keeper, Tessa Christensen seemed completely surprised by the strike and was left with nothing to do but watch as the ball hit the net for the third time.
Southern Utah answered right before the end of the half to shorten the distance on the board with a goal from Alyssa Gomez. The second half began with pressure from the visiting team, which was working hard to get back in the game.
They found various opportunities to create danger, but were always turned back by the Miner defense. A powerful shot from the Thunderbirds nearly made it a one goal game 10 minutes into the second half, but UTEP keeper Sarah Dilling made a brilliant diving save to her right.
The Miners fought back and Barreiro received a pass from captain Mackenzie German at the top of the box. With as little hesitation as her teammate Kidd, Barreiro who had her back to the goal, quickly turned and struck it past the keeper to score UTEP’s fourth goal of the match.
“It happened very quick, Mac (Mackenzie) found me and I hit it,” Barreiro said.
The Miners will now go on the road, traveling to the state of Utah, to face Utah Valley and Weber State during next weekend. UTEP Coach Kevin Cross was happy with the win, the amount of goals and what that means for the team going forward.
“Scoring four goals is really impressive,” Cross said. “I feel very good about the team, every game is gonna be tough from here on out.”
Luis Gonzalez may be reached at [email protected]
