SOCCER: Aug. 23 Scoreboard
Sam Houston State 2, UTSA 1 (OT)
Southeastern Louisiana 5, Mississippi Valley State 2
McNeese State 2, Louisiana-Monroe 1
UIW 1, South Carolina State 0 (2OT)
Southern Utah 3, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1
No. 5 Texas A&M 3, Northwestern State 0
Utah Valley 2, Central Arkansas 0
Louisiana Tech 2, Lamar 0
Louisiana-Lafayette 2, Nicholls 0
UT-El Paso 1, Abilene Christian 0
Sam Houston State 2, UTSA 1 (OT)
SAN ANTONIO, Texas -- After netting one of 14 shots during regular-time, Sam Houston soccer senior midfielder Mariah Titus made the Kats’ first attempt in overtime count, lifting a ball over the UTSA goalkeeper’s head in the 96th minute for her fifth career match-winning goal, pushing Sam Houston State past the Roadrunners, 2-1, at the Park West Athletics Complex Sunday night.
With the win, Sam Houston opened its season 2-0 for the first time since the program began play in 2003, reversing its fortunes against an identical schedule from a season ago when the Kats dropped matches to Louisiana-Lafayette and UTSA.
The Roadrunners (0-1) were hot early in their 2015 opener, jumping ahead 1-0 as Lauren Hodgdon used a deflection inside the six-yard box in the 12th minute to put one past Sam Houston keeper Magen Ross.
“I thought we got off to a slow start tonight,” eighth-year head coach Tom Brown said. “We did not deal with their pressure well and made a marking mistake on their goal. After about 30 minutes, I thought we did much better at keeping the ball and creating chances.”
The Bearkats rallied in the 41st minute when junior Allie Johnson, the team’s leader with eight goals a season ago, lobbed a ball behind the Roadrunners’ defense and to the right of the keeper for the equalizer. The goal was the 10
th of her career while Titus logged her sixth career assist.
Alongside Ross, several Kats earned their first starts of the season including midfielder Bailey Strong, defender Ashley Alonzo and forward Maya Van Londen. In the net, Ross recorded 10 saves, including six in the second half.
Titus, Dick and Johnson each registered three shots while Madison Cannon added two. Dick matched her assist total from a season ago with a pass to Titus for the overtime winner.
UTSA picked up a pair of individual yellow cards while Sam Houston was issued a team yellow card in the 73rd minute while the match was marred by several second-half penalties.
“Our players had to deal with a lot of late fouls and it made it difficult to build a playing rhythm,” Brown said. “We put a really good combination together going forward and Mariah did a great job of finishing her chance.”
The Bearkats return to action Friday in College Station against Florida Atlantic. The squad’s will square off at 4 p.m. from Texas A&M’s Ellis Field. For the latest on Sam Houston soccer, follow @SHSUSoccer on Twitter and visit GoBearkats.com.
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Southeastern Louisiana 5, Mississippi Valley State 2
ITTA BENA, Miss. – Southeastern Louisiana senior Gisenia Utreras scored a goal and dished out three assists to lead the Lady Lion soccer team to a 5-2 non-conference victory at Mississippi Valley State Sunday afternoon at the MVSU Soccer Field.
Southeastern (2-0) remained undefeated with a victory in its first road match of the 2015 season. The Lady Lions scored the match’s first four goals, before MVSU (0-2) scored two late goals.
“We did a nice job creating opportunities today,” Southeastern head coach Blake Hornbuckle said. “Maddie Kresevic had a very good day in the back, while Katie Noonan was excellent in the midfield. Gisenia was also extremely good today getting us into the attack.”
For the second straight match, senior Kayla Vera and junior Marisa Rodrigues each found the net. Scoring their first goals of the 2015 season were Utreras, junior Bri Singh and freshman Vanessa Arzaluz. Noonan also finished with two assists for the Lady Lions.
Southeastern wasted no time getting on the board, taking a 1-0 lead just a minute into the match. Vera scored off a feed from Utreras to give the Lady Lions the early advantage. Despite holding a 6-0 shot advantage in the first half, SLU was unable to add to its lead in the first 45 minutes.
The Lady Lions added to their lead eight minutes into the second half. Noonan beat the Delta Devilette defense and found Arzaluz who sent a shot past MVSU goalkeeper Rita Gyasi. The Sparks, Nevada native’s first collegiate goal pushed the SLU lead to 2-0.
In the 73rd minute, Noonan again assisted a goal to pad the Southeastern advantage. She found Utreras, who launched a shot into the back of the net for a 3-0 Lady Lion lead.
Two minutes later, Singh scored off an Utreras free kick to add to the SLU lead. The goal was the 23
rd of the Lancaster, California native’s career and moved her into sole possession on the school’s career list.
After Mississippi Valley State got on the board in the 80th minute, Southeastern answered right back. Rodrigues took a pass from Utreras and gave SLU a 5-1 lead with her second goal in as many matches.
Mississippi Valley State scored a goal in the 87
th minute to narrow the final margin.
On Friday, the Lady Lions will travel to face defending national champion and current No. 1 Florida State at 6 p.m. (CDT) in Tallahassee, Florida. The match will be broadcast live on ESPN3.
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McNeese State 2, Louisiana-Monroe 1
MONROE, La. – Never count out the Cowgirls.
That was the moral of the story in Sunday afternoon’s thriller between the McNeese State women’s soccer team and ULM. After trailing the entire first half of the match and struggling to make a play, the Cowgirls were able to bounce back from an early deficit and score a pair of second half goals to help lift them over ULM for the 2-1 season opening victory.
“I thought this was a great victory for our team,” said McNeese head coach Scooter Savoie. “The first half saw us trying to find ourselves which is what you expect the first time that you step on the field. After trailing at first and realizing what we needed to do, we did a much better job as the game went on. Our team showed a lot of courage and fought to get better as the game went on.”
A sluggish start allowed the Warhawks to take advantage for a majority of the match and just 10 minutes in were able to take the lead on a shot headed in from a corner kick to take a 1-0 advantage over McNeese.
However, the Cowgirls would turn the table in the second half of play by launching an offensive attack that would drown the ULM defense and give McNeese the momentum it needed.
“I thought that ULM had some good momentum and play in the first half and I thought that we did a great job in the second half with our players adjusting and balancing our team out better,” said Savoie. “We were able to take some things from the Warhawks in order to give ourselves the advantage.”
Junior midfielder Bettina Brulhart, a transfer from NAIA member Lindsey Wilson, notched her first career NCAA goal in dramatic fashion right after intermission as she helped opened a scoring attack with a beautiful shot from the top of the box that landed over the goalkeeper’s head to knot the score up in the 51st minute at one goal apiece. Sophomore Gabi D’Alesandro was credited with the assist with the pass to Brulhart.
“Bettina got us back in the game with a great volley shot on frame that went in for spectacular goal,” said Savoie. “Gabi (D’Alesandro) was able to score a great goal with three minutes left to finish the game off and get the game winner for us. It was a great performance out of those two.”
Both sides continued to trade close calls throughout the remainder of the match and overtime seemed imminent until the 86th minute. Senior goalkeeper Lauren Sestak launched a pass that was received by D’Alesandro, who shot from the left wing into the top right corner, to help the Cowgirls climb out to a 2-1 lead over ULM. The goal was D’Alesandro’s third of her career.
The Warhawks scurried to create scoring plays in the closing minutes of the match but were unable to take advantage as the McNeese defense held strong for the season opening victory.
Brulhart and D’Alesandro led the team in shots with three apiece while three other Cowgirls recorded an attempt in the match.
Sestak was strong in between the posts as she made some incredible saves that helped spark a fire in the Cowgirls. Sestak made eight total saves in the match.
“We had great play from out backline that included Lauren (Sestak),” said Savoie. “She made some big plays in goal for us and was able to help secure the victory.”
Savoie was quick to praise the effort given by some of the newcomers to the McNeese squad. The freshmen were able to provide some depth for the Cowgirls and help seal the win.
“Zoey Pawlik gave us some good minutes while Morgan Middleton provided us with minutes as well,” said Savoie. “Nola Prickett had a start and did a good job creating pressure up top. I was excited because the game allowed us to rotate players and look at different situations.”
Despite the loss, the Warhawks controlled most of the match leading in shots taken, 18-9, and in corner kicks, 7-1.
The match was the second consecutive season opener in which McNeese obtained a victory over its opponent. The Cowgirls also extended their unbeaten streak against the Warhawks to six straight matches.
McNeese will be back in action Tuesday, Aug. 25 when the squad returns home to face Prairie View A&M at 6 p.m. The match, originally scheduled for last Friday, was postponed due to inclement weather.
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UIW 1, South Carolina State 0 (2OT)
EDINBURG, TEXAS – The University of the Incarnate Word women's soccer team finished their weekend at the UTRVG tournament with a controlled victory against first time rival, South Carolina State by a score of 1-0 in overtime for the second consecutive match. This win secured the Cardinals as champions of the tournament.
The Cardinals (2-0) and the Bulldogs (1-1) played the contest in 100 degree weather. UIW started pressuring the S.C. State team by taking 13 shots in the first half while the challengers could not find a way to attack the UIW net. The entire offense tried to put one on frame with seven shots on goal. Junior Marina Bermea (Odessa/Odessa HS) and sophomore Karey Tilman (San Antonio/Alamo Heights HS) each fired three shots a piece.
UIW continued to face a resolute South Carolina State team in both halves. In the second half, the Cardinals fired another 13 shots, but could not put one by Bulldog goalkeeper Hailey Austin. A relentless Cardinals flock continued to work for a goal until Freshman Emani Stewart (Victorville, CA/ Hesperia HS) closed the match with the game winning goal less than four minutes into overtime. She received an assist from fellow Bermea who pushed a pass through the defense that Stewart was able to run down and convert with her left foot.
"I'm thrilled to start the season 2-0," said UIW head coach Anne Felts. "We had two different challenges this weekend and it is nice to see the team find a way to win. We would have liked to score more goals with our chances and finish the games in regulation."
Overall, the Cardinals attempted 27 shots while the Bulldogs managed is single try. UIW earned three corner kicks while the Bulldogs had zero. Austin finished with 14 saves while Karly Brightwell (Houston/Elkins HS) and Heather Kowalik (Boerne/Champion HS) combined on a second straight shutout for the Cardinals. UIW had 13 different players attempt at least one shot while Bermea and Emily Halal (Katy/Cinco Ranch HS) each fired four shots.
"South Carolina State had a solid game plan and they stuck to it," Felts said. "I'm proud of our kids for not getting frustrated and pressing the whole game. Emani had a lot of composure to finish for her first goal."
Incarnate Word will return home to play against the University of North Texas on Friday at 7:00 PM and then play another game against Prairie View A&M University at 12:00 PM on Sunday. The Cardinals have now matched their season win total from the 2014 season.
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Southern Utah 3, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 1
Las Vegas, Nev. – The Texas A&M-Corpus Christi women's soccer team fell 3-1 to Southern Utah on Sunday afternoon in its second game of the Las Vegas Invitational, hosted by UNLV. Hailey Sutton scored the lone goal for the Islanders in the defeat.
"This was a disappointing effort," head coach Shanna Caldwell said after the match. "We have to show up for 90 minutes, that's the bottom line. We can't play well for 70 minutes and then stop fighting.
"We know that the changes have to come from within, no excuses," she added. "Rice will be focused and ready to go, and we will have to match that intensity. We are looking forward to playing at home in front of what is always a great crowd. We are looking forward to having the students, community, and Blue Crew cheering us on as we fight for them."
The Islanders faced a heavy attack from the Thunderbirds in the first half. Goalkeeper Megan Delaney was called on to make all of her seven saves in the first period, while Kallyn Redona managed the only shot for A&M-Corpus Christi. The teams entered the halftime break tied 0-0.
Southern Utah was awarded a penalty kick in the 55th minute. Ally Thimsen converted her kick from the penalty spot past Delaney for a 1-0 lead.
A&M-Corpus Christi pulled level in the 66th minute, when Zoe Cole's pass to an open Sutton set up the Red Oak, Texas, native for a shot that deflected off a Southern Utah player into the net for her first goal of the season.
Southern Utah broke the deadlock in the 78th minute, as Paige Robbins slipped past the Islanders backline to score on the breakaway. As time ticked toward the final minutes, the Islanders sent extra players forward in an effort to score and tie the match. The Thunderbirds caught the A&M-Corpus Christi on the break, setting up Thimsen's second goal of the match from a Paige Robins cross in the 89th.
Sutton led the way for the Islanders offensively with four shots, two on goal, including her one goal.
The Islanders return to the Coastal Bend next Friday for the home opener against Rice at 7:00 p.m. Season and single-game tickets are available through Ticket Return that can be found at GoIslanders.com/Tickets.
For more information on Islanders women's soccer, follow the team on Twitter (@IslandersSoccer) and like their Facebook page (Islanders Soccer). Download the official Islanders Front Row App to stay up to date on all the latest Islanders Athletics news.
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No. 5 Texas A&M 3, Northwestern State 0
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – The No. 5 Texas A&M soccer team scored two goals in the first 10 minutes as Northwestern State fell 3-0 on the road Sunday at Ellis Field.
But after the Lady Demons (1-1) settled down in an atmosphere of 3,157 yelling Aggies fans, NSU allowed just one goal in the final 80 minutes to a program that advanced to the NCAA Final Four this past season.
Head coach George Van Linder saw plenty of positives, especially in a scoreless second half.
“We’ve talked for the last couple years that this team has the potential to do something big and do good things,” Van Linder said. “You don’t get very many chances to play a top 10 team and maybe win a game.
“It’s a little bit frustrating in the fact that we had some good chances and did some things, and you just wonder if we could have that first 10 minutes back what it would have been. But you don’t get second chances, and we want to tell them to come out a little better. We’ll take this into LSU (on Tuesday) and hopefully play a good 90 minutes as opposed to a good 75 or 80 minutes.”
A more organized backline absorbed 11 second-half shots and six second-half corner kicks from Texas A&M en route to a second-half clean sheet with sophomore goalkeeper Alex Latham.
The Aggies compiled a 23-5 shot advantage and a 12-2 edge in shots on goal, but Latham said the Lady Demons can be proud of holding the No. 5 team in the country scoreless in the last 60 minutes.
Latham made five saves with no goals allowed in the second half after senior Brooke Bourbonais (four saves) and the NSU back line let in three first-half goals.
“We came out in the second half after a 3-0 (deficit) in the first half and communicated better and had better spacing,” Latham said. “That stopped a lot of the through balls, and it’s really nice to have (a scoreless) second half out here at Texas A&M.
“The 12th man was right behind the goals, and they were very chatty back there and like to talk to you a lot. But this is a great atmosphere to play in, and coming out with a 3-0 result against the No. 5 team, it’s a great confidence boost going into LSU and eventually into conference play.”
The Aggies started the scoring 4:41 into the match when junior Ashlynn Harryman lobbed a ball over the NSU defense to Haley Pounds, who chipped a shot over Bourbonais from close range.
Texas A&M tacked on a second goal four minutes later when sophomore Mikaela Harvey ripped a shot from beyond the box into the lower left corner for a 2-0 lead.
But Northwestern State began challenging more effectively, making scoring opportunities more difficult for the Aggies.
The Aggies found the back of the net in the 29
th minute when Janae Cousineau threaded a shot through on a pass from Kate Hadju.
That trend continued in the second half, and NSU created a few offensive chances for themselves. Junior Patry Carrion fired a free kick at Texas A&M keeper Mia Hummel before sophomore Esdeina Gonzalez blasted a shot on target for NSU’s two shots on goal.
Van Linder adjusted the back line in the second half, adding freshman Ysmina Smith to Carrion, Allison Palomo and Amy Renteria.
“We’ve been talking about pressure and working together, and that got a lot better in the second half,” Van Linder said. “Ysmina Smith had a great second half, and that gives us more defenders to consider going forward.
“The big thing is we want to get more pressure on our opponent (offensively). We had a few good moments, and in the bigger games, you’re only going to get a few good moments and we have to capitalize. With some extra work, growth and experience, hopefully we’ll be ready next time.”
NSU travels to LSU for a 7 p.m. match on Tuesday.
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Utah Valley 2, Central Arkansas 0
Orem, Utah – The Central Arkansas women’s soccer returned to action on Sunday afternoon, taking on the Utah Valley Wolverines in Orem, Utah. The Wolverines netted a pair of goals in the first half, and the Bears were unable to find the net, falling 2-0.
Utah Valley (1-1) grabbed an early lead, as Sarah Cipperley found Jaime Brown, who arced a shot over the head of Central Arkansas (0-2) keeper Anna Hughes for her first goal of the season.
The Bears got a good look just a minute and a half later, as freshman Camille Bassett found herself in open space, but her shot went just wide of the post.
The Wolverines added to their lead in the 19th minute, when a free kick from Libby Weber found Sheridan Fox, who headed it home to put UVU up 2-0.
Central Arkansas again got the chance for a quick reply, when junior Kate Koch fired wide in the 20
th minute. Sophomore Stacia Carroll saw another opportunity for the Bears in the 40
th minute, but her attempt went high, sending Central Arkansas into the break down 2-0.
The second half saw more chances for the Bears, as freshman Ashley Smith and Carroll both put shots on target, but neither was able to beat UVU keeper Jessica Duffin.
“We came out and had a slow start, which comes down to preparation and discipline. We gave up a couple of early goals; one we were in a position to save and the other we just got beat going up on the set piece,” said Central Arkansas coach Jeremy Bishop following the match. “In the second half we played a lot better and had some good scoring chances, but we just couldn’t finish.”
Bishop continued, saying, “I feel like both games this weekend were very even, if you look at shots and possession. But our opponents were able to finish and we weren’t. That’s why we play these games though, to get better and get some things figured out.”
On the day, the Bears were outshot 12-10, and managed to put three shots on goal. In goal for the Bears, Hughes made three saves.
Central Arkansas opens the home portion of its schedule on Friday, hosting in-state opponent Arkansas State at the Bill Stephens Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. “We’re excited to get home in front of our fans,” said Bishop. “This has been a very competitive game over the past three season, and last year was the first time we were able to beat them. We’re looking forward to having a good group of fans.”
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Louisiana Tech 2, Lamar 0
RUSTON, La. – A solid defensive effort by the Lamar University women’s soccer team went for naught Sunday, as Louisiana Tech scored two late goals to claim a 2-0 win over the Cardinals in a non-conference game.
LU (0-2-0) kept Louisiana Tech (2-0-0) in check for most of the game, only to see the Lady Techsters score twice in the final nine minutes to grab the win. It’s the first time since 2012 the Cardinals have opened with two losses and the first time since 2008 that LU has been blanked in its first two games of the season.
Mylene Roy-Ouellet opened when she took a pass from Kathryn Sloan near the top of the box and fired a shot past LU goalkeeper Lauren Lovejoy with just 8:40 remaining in the contest. Roy-Ouellet scored again less than three minutes later, once again on a pass from Sloan to make it 2-0 with 5:53 remaining.
LU had a solid defensive effort in the first half, as the teams played a scoreless period. Lovejoy had two saves for the Cardinals, while Kylee Seto had to make one save for the Lady Techsters.
“We played a great first half,” LU coach Orlando Cervantes. “They did everything we talked about and asked them to do. “Unfortunately, we got away from that in the second half and it cost us.”
The Cardinals were outshot 10-2 in the second half, managing just one shot on goal after intermission. For the game, Louisiana Tech had an 18-6 advantage in total shots.
“It’s not a skill thing,” Cervantes said. “We have the talent. But we have to play smarter. We’re holding onto the ball and not being aggressive enough. We have a lot of young players who are still getting used to the speed at Division I.
“After that first goal, we buckled a little bit, but we turned it up after the second goal and became more aggressive, but it was too late. That’s the way we needed to play the whole game. We have to stop being tentative.”
Lovejoy made three saves for LU, while Seto made two saves for Louisiana Tech. Jannet Hernandez had two of LU’s six shots.
The Cardinals return home for a pair of non-conference games next weekend. LU hosts Texas Southern at 7 p.m. Friday before LSU-Alexandria comes to the LU Soccer Complex at 5 p.m. Aug. 30.
“It will be good to get home and play two games in front of our fans,” Cervantes said. “We’re going to learn from this weekend and we’re going to get better.”
For ticket information, call 409-880-1715, or visit
www.LamarCardinals.com.
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Louisiana-Lafayette 2, Nicholls 0
LAFAYETTE, La. – The Nicholls State University women’s soccer team battled neck-and-neck with Louisiana-Lafayette in their regular-season opener at the Ragin’ Cajuns Soccer Facility, but the Colonels were unable to come away with a win, falling 2-0, on Sunday afternoon.
The Red and Grey were outshot 5-0 in the first period, falling behind 1-0 at the break, but came out on the attack in the second period. Nicholls outshot Louisiana-Lafayette 12-7 over the final 45 minutes, including seven shots on goal, but couldn’t to find the back of the net.
Just two minutes into the second period, a shot from Lindsay Gardner struck off the post, only inches from tying the match. In the 52
nd minute, after a scrum in front of the goal, Spencer Valdespino fired a shot, but Ragin’ Cajun goalie Cosette Morche was able to secure the save.
With less than nine minutes remaining, Annika Schmidt chipped a shot just over the head of Nicholls goalie Amanda Boylson to put Louisiana-Lafayette up 2-0.
The Colonels mounted a valiant effort over the remainder of the contest, refusing to yield. Nicholls took three shots in the final two minutes, desperately seeking to find the net. Morche saved a Hannah Savoie attempt in the 88
th minute, Jess Coates had a shot blocked in the 89
th minute and with only 30 seconds remaining, Emily Werenskiold’s attempt went wide.
Gardner paced Nicholls offensively with three shots, one on goal. Coates, Werenskiold and Ainsley Pratt each finished with a pair of attempts. Valdespino had two shots on goal.
Yazmin Montoya facilitated the offensive attack for the Ragin’ Cajuns, assisting on both goals.
Boylson finished the day with six saves and two goals allowed.
Morche tallied seven saves in the shutout win.
The Colonels will face Southern Miss for their home opener on Friday, Aug. 28 at 4 p.m. before hosting Southern on Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information on Nicholls soccer visit
geauxcolonels.com.
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UT-El Paso 1, Abilene Christian 0
EL PASO, Texas - Abilene Christian junior goalkeeper Kelsey Dombrowski made seven saves in a complete-game effort Sunday but couldn't get a glove on Angela Cutaia's header in the 81st minute and UTEP held on to defeat the Wildcats 1-0 in the third-ever meeting between the two sides.
Freshman Carleigh Simmons sent the ball into the box and was credited with an assist after Cutaia - a senior midfielder - headed the bouncer in off the bottom of the crossbar.
ACU now trails the all-time series 0-2-1.
The Wildcats threatened to tie the score twice with a pair of corner kicks by junior Natalie Throneberry in the 87th and 88th minutes. Miner midfielder Aleah Davis, however, cleared out one of the attempts, and earlier in the second half (78') she headed back another service leading to a defensive clearance.
The Miners outshot the Wildcats for the match 18-10 and blocked all four of ACU's shots during the second half. Tries by Throneberry and freshman Sophie Standifer were stopped at the start of the 60th minute, rookie Caity Acosta was denied in the 72nd, and sophomore Baylee Mitchell came up empty in the 78th.
"Our team competed well today and moved the ball around great for a majority of the game and often had it in our attacking third quite a bit," said head coach Casey Wilson. "Now we just need to take advantage of our chances when we are down there."
Dombrowski, meanwhile, put on quite a show in between the pipes. In the 51st minute she swatted away a Cutaia header that first hit off the post, and right before the half she lept to catch a rising blast off the foot of Alexa Bain.
Dombrowski also made a clutch stop off a free kick headed by Davis in the 18th and came up big again in the 37th, diving to catch a Taylor Kidd rebound following a blocked shot by Cutaia.
Cutaia led all players with seven shots and put two on frame, while Mitchell and senior Lindsey Jones led the Wildcats with three shots apiece.
UTEP goalkeeper Alyssa Palacios made three saves with the last coming in the 24th minute. She smothered a low, hard shot by Chantal Kinsey in the 12th minute in between catching attempts by Mitchell and Jones.
Despite not recording a shot on goal over the final 45 minutes, the Wildcats did create five corner kick opportunities all of which came past the 72nd minute.
The Wildcats will look to snap their season-opening, two-match losing streak next weekend with consecutive neutral-site matches vs. UTSA (Friday) and UC Irvine (Sunday) in Austin and College Station, respectively.
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