Adrian Hernandez/ THE RIDER
UTRGV women’s soccer lost 2-1 Thursday against the University of Texas at El Paso at the Soccer and Track & Field Complex on the Edinburg campus.
This is the Vaqueros’ second loss in a row after losing to Sam Houston State University with a 4-2 score on Sept. 3 in Huntsville, Texas.
Head coach Nataki Stewart spoke of the bittersweet event of the game today.
“We had some moments of joy, but for me, I think we’re making the same mistakes,” Stewart said. “I mean the players are working really well, it just comes down to these moments, making big plays and we will continue as a staff to create the environment.”
Adrian Hernandez/ THE RIDER
The first half of the game neither teams scored, as both teams tacked on the aggression for a combined 12 fouls between both squads.
The Vaqueros backline and goalkeeper managed to keep the Miners scoreless despite UTEP’S 10 total shots during the first half and securing the 0-0 deadlock by halftime.
Of UTEP’s attempted 10 shots, the four shots on target were saved by junior goalkeeper Veronica Pancione who single-handedly denied an early lead for the Miners.
The return to the second half however brought upon rapid progression as three goals were made in the first ten minutes by UTRGV sophomore forward Amy Romero breaking the tie with the first goal of the match, and her second of the season.
However, the victory for the Vaqueros was short-lived as the Miners made haste to counter with a goal of their own by sophomore midfielder Zeta McDannels and an assist from freshman midfielder Bethlehem Daniel, tying the game once again.
McDannels didn’t let the momentum fizzle out, as she came back for more, scoring once more with an assist from freshman forward Haylee Lancaster, securing a 2-1 game.
Adrian Hernandez/ THE RIDER
The final 15 minutes of the game was defined by the Vaqueros pushing for an equalizer, desperate to at least settle the game with a tie.
UTRGV freshman forward Anuhea Aalona took two shots on goal, only to be denied by UTEP’s sophomore goalkeeper Savannah Finley in the 80th and 84th minute.
A small beacon of hope came when the Vaqueros managed to break past Finley to the open net, only to be met with senior defender Ashlyn Neireiter blocking the ball with a crucial team save, ultimately securing the game defining 2-1 win for the Miners.
The loss against UTEP is a momentary setback in the eyes of head coach Nataki Stewart, as it is the last game before the Southland Conference.
Coach Stewart said he is focused on making sure the team is as healthy as possible.
“For us, it’s about fine tuning the details because these games are good tests in preparation for us as we head into conference play,” Stewart said. “But my feeling’s about our team, yes, we’re not happy with the result, the way we can see those goals, we can see the problems.”
The Vaqueros soccer team faces another home game at 10 a.m. Sunday against the Concordia University Texas Tornados. As of press time, scores for the match are not available.
