Nov. 1, 2007

UTEP Set To Battle Rice In Crucial Contest

The UTEP soccer team (10-6-2, 4-2-1) takes to the road to challenge Houston (4-10-2, 0-6-1), at 6 p.m. on Friday. It is the most important match of the season to date, as the Miners stand in a three-way tie for third place in Conference USA with 13 points.

Playing For Seeding Now

By virtue of its unbeaten performance last weekend (1-0-1) the UTEP soccer team locked up a bid for the 2007 Conference USA tournament. Entering the match against Rice, the Miners are tied for third in the 12-team league. The top eight teams (out of 12) will qualify for the league tournament, which will by hosted by UTEP from Nov. 7-11.

Talk About A Tight Race

Although seven teams have qualified for the 2007 Conference USA tournament which will be hosted by UTEP from Nov. 7-11, plenty remains to be determined. UCF sits atop the league with 19 points, with Memphis ranking second with 16 points. UTEP, Colorado College and Rice are tied for third with 13 points while Southern Miss and UAB share fifth place at 12 points. East Carolina is clinging to the eighth and final spot with 11 points, while SMU still has chance of securing a bid to the tourney with 11 points. Houston, Marshall and Tulsa have been eliminated from competion.

What It All Means

The Miners could still finish as high as second place in the league. There are several tiebreaker scenarios involving UTEP, and things should be much clearer after Friday's match at Houston.

UTEP Battles To 1-1 Tie With East Carolina

In a hard-fought match, the UTEP soccer team rallied from a 1-0 deficit at the half to earn a 1-1 tie against East Carolina at University Field on Oct. 28. Anoop Josan scored on a laser beam blast off a free kick at the 67-minute mark to force overtime. UTEP dominated possession of play and registered eight shots on goal compared to just three for the Pirates. Senior goaltender Brittany Popoff, who replaced Jessica Salvi at halftime, finished with two saves. ECU's Amber Campbell made seven stops.

Popoff Steps Up

Senior Brittany Popoff replaced Jessica Salvi at halftime against East Carolina, and the senior came through in a big way. She made two saves, both in overtime, and directed traffic defensively to help the Miners shut down the Pirates after the break. The effort allowed UTEP to battle back and earn a tie against a very talented squad.

UTEP Rated In Regional Rankings

The UTEP soccer team enters the match at Rice ranked 14th in the NCAA's Central Region by SoccerBuzz. The Miners, who have been rated as high as 11th this year, have appeared in the poll for a school-record four straight seasons.

49-6-2 At Home Since 2002 Not Too Shabby

Although the Miners' lost against Weber State on Sept. 9 halted a 13-match winning streak in El Paso, UTEP still has plenty to be proud of. Overall, the Miners are 49-6-2 at home since 2002. Additionally, they have emerged victorious in 37 of their past 40 matches in the Sun City.

Fans Play Big Role In UTEP's Home Success

Gaudy numbers at home would not be possible without a loyal fan base, and the Miners are fortunate to be supported extremely well by El Pasoans. Passionate, loud crowds have been the norm game after game, making University Field one of the toughest places to play not only in Conference USA but in the nation as well. The Miners have played before 18 crowds that surpassed the facility's 600-person capacity the past five seasons, including the 621 fans who were in attendance against Marshall on Oct. 26.

Miners Reward Big Crowds

By knocking off Marshall 2-1 on Oct. 26, the Miners improved to 17-0-1 at home since 2002 when playing in front of crowds that surpassed University Field's 600-person capacity.

Tullius Sizzling

Senior forward Jami Tullius has elevated her play of late, racking up 13 points the past five contests. She had a four-point outing at Colorado College, which was followed by a three-point effort at UCF. Tullius had a strike at Southern Miss. She was at it again against Marshall, scoring both goals. The native of El Paso has done it as both a playmaker and goal scorer, registering three goals to go along with three assists.

Tullius Adding To Record With Every Goal

Senior forward and El Paso native Jami Tullius recorded her eighth and ninth goals in 2007 against Marshall on Oct. 26. Tullius has now registered a school-record 43 goals in her time in the Sun City.

Tops 100-Career Point Barrier

By virtue of scoring twice against Marshall on Oct. 26, Jami Tullius became the first Miner in program history to eclipse the 100-point barrier. She now has a total of 103 points in her career.

Closing In On Other Records Too

Already the school record holder for career goals and points, senior Jami Tullius is on the cusp of two other career marks. She checks tied for third in multiple-goal games (eight) and is tied for first in match-winning goals (10). Holly Cohen owns the multiple-goal games standard (10) and Christine McCartney, Ja'net Esparza and Tullius are tied for first in game-winning goals.

UTEP Out-Scoring Opposition By Plenty

UTEP has tallied 41 goals on the year while holding the opposition to just 26 strikes. Helping the Miners achieve the impressive feat is the fact that they are taking almost 19 shots per game while limiting their foes to just 14 chances on average.

Miners Very Strong In The Second Half

The UTEP soccer team has been especially impressive in the second half of games in 2007. The Miners have out-scored the opposition 27-9 in the second stanza this year.

Miners' Offense Loves The Second Half

UTEP's offense is one of the best in the country, evidenced by the Miners ranking 20th nationally in goals per game. UTEP would probably rate even higher if it can figure out how to get its offensive attack going in the first half. Entering the tilt at Rice, 27 of the Orange and Blue's 40 goals on the campaign have come during the second stanza.

UTEP's "D" Does Too

The Miners' offense is not the only part of the squad to be thriving in the second half. UTEP's defense has been equally impressive after the break, allowing only nine second-half goals. That is quite a feat, considering UTEP has played 18 times on the campaign.

Sumter's Strong Start Vaults Her Into Record Books

Sophomore forward Tameka Sumter had a sizzling start to the 2007 season, scoring a Conference-USA leading 10 goals. Sumter's career total now stands at 23 goals, which places her tied for seventh in program history. With her strike against Alabama A&M on Sept. 14, Sumter reached the 20 goal plateau in just 27 games. That effort was the second fastest in program history. Only current assistant coach Holly Cohen (22) recorded her 20th career tally with fewer games played.

Teams Keying On The Sophomore In C-USA Play

Since the start of Conference USA play, opponents have been focusing their defensive efforts on slowing down Tameka Sumter. That strategy has opened the door for other Miners, with seven different players having tallied goals in conference action. Sumter has continued to be a factor, as well, putting pressure on the opposition with her speed while also racking up a pair of assists.

Casey Thriving As Well

Cortney Casey's efforts in 2007 should not be overlooked, as the junior has already surpassed her output from last year. After scoring against Fresno State on Sept. 28, Casey has registered eight goals to go along with four assists. The Mesa, Ariz., native is second in C-USA play for goals and points, trailing only teammate Tameka Sumter. Additionally, she is 51st in the country in goals per game.

Don't Overlook Tullius

Senior Jami Tullius, who got off to a solid start in 2007, has really stepped up of late. UTEP's career record holder in goals and points has displayed her all-around ability with nine goals and seven assists. That effort paces the Miners.

UTEP's Offense Leading C-USA Again

Entering the match at Rice, UTEP's offense is atop the Conference USA leaderboard with 41 goals. That fact should come as no surprise, as the Miners also paced the league in both 2005 and 2006.

Faring Well Nationally Also

Heading into the weekend, UTEP checks in 23rd in the country in goals per game.

Miners Placing Plenty Among C-USA Leaders

Entering the weekend, UTEP's individuals are taking care of business statistically in Conference USA, as well, as the Miners are responsible for leaders in plenty of categories. Tameka Sumter paces the league in goals and points, while Cortney Casey sits atop the leaderboard for shots and Jessica Salvi ranks first in saves. Casey is second in points and tied for in goals. Jami Tullius checks in tied for second in assists and third in points, while Sumter and Casey share 10th place in assists.

Doing So In National Categories Too

The Miners are well represented in statistics across the country, with Tameka Sumter placing 67th in goals per game and 68th in points per game. Jami Tullius is 68th in ppg, 79th in assists per game and 98th in gpg. Jessica Salvi is 53rd in saves per game.

Three-Headed Scoring Monster

Cortney Casey, Tameka Sumter and Jami Tullius have accounted for 27 of UTEP's 41 goals on the campaign. Freshman Melissa Desilets, freshman Lauren Hamson, senior Angle Kleinfelder, junior Cara Nordin, junior college transfer Jo Radcliffe, sophomore midfielder Anoop Josan and senior defender Kristin Wernimont are responsible for the other 11 tallies.

Three-Headed Passing Monster

Not only have Cortney Casey, Tameka Sumter and Jami Tullius been racking up the goals, but they have also been serving the role as playmaker on many occasions. The trio has combined to register 15 of UTEP's 28 assists on the campaign.

Hamson Performing Well As Freshman

Freshman Lauren Hamson has quietly turned in a solid rookie campaign, scoring twice to go along with a trio of helpers. That effort ranks her tied for fifth and fourth, respectively on the squad. With an athletic frame and tremendous vision, look for the freshman to continue to rack up the points throughout the year.

Sumter And Tullius Have Knack For Scoring In Same Game

Not only are Tameka Sumter and Jami Tullius great goal scorers, but they have developed an uncanny ability to both score in the same game. Including 2007, Tullius and Sumter have each registered a goal in the same game on seven different occasions. Sumter scored at least one goal in all five games during the 2006 campaign in which Tullius beat the keeper, and both recorded goals against Sam Houston State and North Texas during the first weekend of the season.

Miners Peppering The Opposition With Shots

UTEP has already taken 336 shots on the year (almost 19 per game). That average is more than two shots higher than what the Miners averaged throughout the 2006 campaign, and it would establish the school standard. More important, though, is that UTEP has converted 41 of those chances into goals.

Don't Forget The "D"

UTEP's defense has also been impressive, limiting the opposition to 279 shots (57 fewer than UTEP) and just 26 goals. It has been a mix of veterans and newcomers alike handling the task, with head coach Kevin Cross blessed with a very deep base of talent.

Taylor's Transition To Defense Seamless

Sophomore defender Neresa Taylor, who fought through an injury-riddled campaign in 2006 to appear in nine games as a midfield, is healthy this year and making a big impact. The native of Beaumont, Texas, who is possibly the fastest player on the squad, switched to defense in the offseason and has been very solid on the outside for the Miners. She has started every game on the year-surpassing her total from 2006-, doing a good job of positioning and winning balls. Taylor hasn't forgotten her offensive roots, though, as she picked up her second assist on the year against St. Mary's on Sept. 4 after making a brilliant play to set up Tameka Sumter's gamewinning goal.

Desilets Steady As Can Be

Freshman defender Melissa Desilets earned her first career start against Weber State on Sept. 9, and the native of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, performed admirably. She did a solid job with her marking, and showed off an ability to win balls in the air. She has continued to play well since that point, evidenced by her starting the past 13 matches. The most recent example came with a goal in the triumph against Tulsa.

Wernimont The Warrior

Senior defender Kristin Wernimont has been one of head coach Kevin Cross' most consistent players since she arrived on campus four years ago. That is the case again for the co-captain in 2007, as Wernimont has played all 1673:36 minutes on the campaign thus far. She has done so splendidly, holding down the important sweeper position.

Recyled Notes

Seniors Go Out In Style

Jami Tullius scored twice, including a golden goal 1:03 into overtime, to lift the UTEP soccer team to an emotional 2-1 victory against Marshall on "Senior Night" at University Field on Oct. 26. Tullius, one of the five seniors on the squad honored prior to the match, helped her fellow classmates go out in style. By virtue of her two-goal effort, Tullius became the first Miner in program history to eclipse the 100-point barrier. She now has 103 career points.

Comeback Kids

The Miners' triumph against Marshall on Oct. 26 was their fifth come-from-behind victory in 2007. Incredibly, that means that half of UTEP's wins this year have been of the comeback variety.

10 Win Seasons Under Cross The Norm

The victory against Marshall was the 10th of the year for UTEP, marking the school-record sixth consecutive campaign with at least 10 victories. That is quite a feat considering that UTEP registered only one 10-plus win season prior to head coach Kevin Cross' first year at the helm of the program in 2001.

UTEP Comes Up Short At Southern Miss

The UTEP soccer team dropped a hard-fought match at Southern Miss (6-8-0, 3-3 C-USA), 2-1, on Oct. 21. Jami Tullius added to her school record total with her 41st career goal to afford the Miners a 1-0 lead at the break, but second-half tallies from Jana Mason and Erin Bunyard helped USM creep past UTEP. The Miners out-shot the Lady Eagles 21-15 and had seven corner kicks, but were unable to convert on key opportunities. Jessica Salvi made three saves in net for UTEP, while senior captain Kristin Wernimont recorded her first assist on the year with a good pass to set up Tullius' goal.

UTEP Falls At UCF

UTEP got goals from Lauren Hamson and Jami Tullius and Jessica Salvi made 13 saves, but it wasn't enough as the Miners fell at UCF 4-2 on Oct. 13. It was a high-flying offensive contest, as the two squads combined for 27 shots on goal and 16 corner kicks. The Miners had plenty of chances, but UCF's Jennifer Manis did just enough in the net by making eight saves.

Miners Rally For 3-2 Win At Colorado College

The UTEP soccer team (9-4-1, 3-0 C-USA) remained perfect in Conference USA play with a come-from-behind 3-2 victory at Colorado College (6-4-2, 1-2) on Oct. 13. UTEP showed incredible heart in securing the victory, as it trailed 2-0 just 15 minutes into the tilt. Anoop Josan scored with 16 seconds left in the first half to make it a 2-1 contest at the break. With 15 minutes to play in the match, Jami Tullius tallied the game-tying-goal before the Miners moved ahead for good a mere 62 seconds later on Cara Nordin's first strike of the season. Tullius also registered a pair of assists to go along with her goal, Senior netminder Jessica Salvi played a huge role in the triumph, as well, notching a then season-high 11 saves.

Defeat Second Straight Regionally-Ranked Opponent

The win at Colorado College marked the Miners' second consecutive contest against teams ranked in the NCAA's Central Region. SMU, which UTEP knocked off 1-0 on Oct. 7, carried a ranking of 10th into the match. The Tigers, meanwhile, were rated eighth.

Winning At Colorado College Quite An Accomplishment

Making UTEP's victory at Colorado College even more impressive was the fact that historically the Tigers have been nearly unbeatable when playing in Colorado Springs, Colo. The win by the Miners made CC's all-time home record 194-37-16.

Tullius Leads The Way

Jami Tullius had an outstanding game at Colorado College on Oct. 13. She assisted on Anoop Josan's tally in the first half with 16 seconds left to get the Miners within one at the break (2-1) before registering the game-tying-goal with 15 minutes to play. A mere 61 seconds later, Tullius made a brilliant pass to set up Cara Nordin's match-winning-strike.

Nordin Picks Good Time To Score Season's First Goal

Cara Nordin came through in the clutch in UTEP's 3-2 win at Colorado College, posting her initial goal of the campaign. In fact, it marked the initial tally for Nordin since the 2005 season. The effort by the junior is the latest sign of encouragement that Nordin is getting back to her form from that year. She had missed the entire 2006 season due to an injury.

Miners Knock Off Preseason Favorite SMU

Powered by Jo Radcliffe's second-half goal and stifling team defense, the UTEP soccer team defeated Conference USA preseason favorite SMU, 1-0, at University Field on Oct. 7. Making the victory even more impressive is that the Mustangs carried a regional ranking of 10th into the match. Jessica Salvi was tremendous in net for the Miners, making nine saves. Included among those stops were three chances from within five yards.

Salvi Garners Conference, National Honors

By virtue of allowing just one goal in 180 minutes of action in wins against both SMU and Tulsa, senior netminder Jessica Salvi picked up a pair of awards. She was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week, in addition to garnering placement on the National Team of the Week by SoccerBuzz.

UTEP Opens C-USA Play With 2-1 Triumph Against Tulsa

Spurred on by a school-record crowd of 1,269 fans, the UTEP soccer team knocked off Tulsa, 2-1, in its Conference USA opener at University Field on Oct. 5. The Miners raced out to a 2-0 lead on the half on goals by Melissa Desilets and Angie Kleinfelder, and UTEP's defense did just enough down the stretch to hold off the upstart Golden Hurricane squad.

Miners Shatter School Attendance Record

Much credit in UTEP's triumph against Tulsa on Oct. 6 should go to the 1,269 raucous fans that were in attendance. The tremendous support by the community and student body helped the Miners establish a school standard with 1,269 fans. The previous standard was 1,106, which came in a 1-0 victory against No. 17 Rice on Oct. 8, 2006.

Miners Fall At Sacramento State

The UTEP soccer team dropped a heartbreaker at Sacramento State, 1-0, in overtime on Sept. 30. The Hornets' Katie McCoy tapped in a rebound at the 94th minute for the game's lone tally. The Miners battled hard from the opening whistle but were unable to beat Sacramento State netminder Mandy Trojan. At the other end of the pitch, the Hornets were denied time after time by senior netminder Jessica Salvi before finally breaking through in the extra period.

UTEP's Rally At Fresno State Falls Short, 3-2

A late push by the UTEP soccer team came up just short at Fresno State, as the Miners dropped a hard-fought contest, 3-2, on Sept. 28 UTEP trailed 3-0 with six minutes to play in the match before it staged a furious rally. Cortney Casey buried a shot to slice into the Bulldogs' lead before freshman Lauren Hamson notched her first-career goal less than two minutes later to bring the Miners within one. The Orange and Blue made one final rush up field in the final minute, desperately trying to send the contest into overtime but they were unable to do so.

Salvi Saves Season-High 10 Shots

While the Miners suffered a 3-2 setback at Fresno State, they were able close thanks to the play of senior netminder Jessica Salvi. She turned away a season-high 10 shots, including three in the first five minutes of the match.

Miners Battle Lobos To 2-2 Draw

In a physical game with plenty of emotion, the UTEP soccer team played to a 2-2 draw in the championship match of the eighth-annual Border Shootout at University Field on Sept. 23. UTEP now stands at 6-2-1 on the year, while the Lobos move to 4-2-2. The Miners showed plenty of heart in earning the tie, as they rallied from a 2-0 deficit less than three minutes into the match. Tameka Sumter notched her 10th goal of the campaign to start the comeback and senior Kristin Wernimont capped it by burying a rebound with 10 minutes left to force overtime.

Winning Streak Hits Three With 4-1 Win Against Idaho

UTEP erupted for two goals in a span of less than one minute to break open a 1-1 game at the half en route to cruising past Idaho, 4-1, to open the eighth-annual Border Shootout in fine fashion at University Field on Sept. 21. It was an impressive offensive showing for the Orange and Blue, as Idaho had permitted just four goals in five games entering the match. Cortney Casey scored twice, and added an assist, to lead the offensive onslaught. Jo Radcliffe and Jami Tullius also registered goals, while Tameka Sumter picked up an assist. Senior netminder Jessica Salvi made seven saves, including two spectacular stops in the first half, to key the defensive efforts.

Miners Take Care Of Business At Texas State, 2-0

Tameka Sumter's two second-half goals in a span of less than four minutes, combined with stifling team defense, added up to a 2-0 win at Texas State on Sept. 16 for the UTEP soccer team. The Miners were dominant on both ends of the pitch, out-shooting TSU by a margin of 20-9, including an edge of eight to three in shots on goal.

Casey's Hat Trick Sends UTEP Past Alabama A&M, 5-0

The UTEP soccer team thrashed Alabama A&M, 5-0, at University Field on Sept. 14, with Cortney Casey notching her first career hat trick to lead the offensive onslaught. The Miners dominated in every facet of the game, out-shooting the Lady Bulldogs 23-6. In fact, A&M, which led the nation in scoring in 2006, managed just two shots on net.

Conference USA Honors Sumter

Tameka Sumter was named the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 17, after scoring three goals to help lead the Miners to a perfect 2-0 mark this against Alabama A&M and Texas State. It marked the second time of her career that the sophomore native was so honored.

Popoff Steady In 2007 Debut

Although she was tested only twice against Alabama A&M, senior netminder Brittany Popoff was solid in her 2007 debut against the Lady Bulldogs. The native of Westbank, B.C., turned away both of the chances to pick up her 16th career shutout. That figure ranks second all time in program annals.

Casey's Hat Trick Puts Her In The Record Books

Cortney Casey's hat trick against Alabama A&M on Sept. 14 was the first of her career at UTEP and the 14th all time in program history. That's quite an accomplishment for a player who spent most of the spring and summer training sessions working on converting to a defender.

UTEP Falls To Weber State, 2-1

The UTEP soccer team lost a hard-fought game to Weber State, 2-1, in the championship match of the 10th-annual Miner Classic at University Field on Sept. 9. Tameka Sumter scored her Conference USA leading sixth goal of the campaign for UTEP's lone tally.

Miners Blank Portland State, 2-0

Anoop Josan scored on a penalty kick in the 66th minute to break a scoreless tie, and UTEP's defense did the rest as the Miners knocked off Portland State, 2-0, to kick off the 10th-annual Miner Classic in fine fashion at University Field on Sept 7. Jessica Salvi made six saves on the night to record her first shutout of the 2007 campaign, while Jami Tullius registered her third goal on the year to give the Miners some much needed breathing room with eight minutes to play.

Salvi Shines In Shutout

Senior goaltender Jessica Salvi was in top form against Portland State on Sept. 7, making six saves against the Vikings to register her first shutout in 2007. The effort improved Salvi to 3-1 on the campaign and 13-2 all time in UTEP, with the winning percentage of .867 tops in program annals.

Makes History As Well

Not only did Jessica Salvi turn in a brilliant performance against Portland State, but she made history in the process. It wasn't for her goaltending, though, but rather for a booming kick to clear away a Portland State thru ball that set up Jami Tullius' insurance goal. In being credited with the assist, Salvi became the first UTEP netminder in program history to register an assist. Salvi's kick easily cleared midfield, and the large bounce sent Tullius streaking in alone on net.

Josan Delivers In The Clutch

Anoop Josan has displayed nerves of steel since arriving in the Sun City in 2006. The most recent example came in UTEP's triumph against Portland State on Sept. 7. Josan made a brilliant pass to a streaking Tameka Sumter, who was dragged down in the box to set up a UTEP penalty kick. It was the 66th minute, and the match was scoreless, but Josan was as calm as can be as she stood over the ball. Josan drilled it past a helpless PSU netminder to put the Miners up 1-0 on her first goal of 2007. Overall, three of Josan's six career goals have served as gamewinning tallies.

Perfect In PKs

Anoop Josan's penalty kick against Portland State on Sept. 7 made her a perfect two-for-two in her career in the Sun City on penalty kicks. Both of her goals have served as match winners, as Josan's other conversion on a penalty kick came against No. 17 Rice in a 1-0 victory last season.

UTEP Gets Back On Track

Tameka Sumter scored twice, including a spectacular goal on a bicycle kick, to lead the UTEP soccer team past an upstart St. Mary's squad, 2-1, in front of the third-largest crowd in program history at University Field on Sept. 4. UTEP out-shot the Ratters, 26-8, including 14-3 on goal. The Miners were in control most of the night, dominating possession and earning eight corner kicks compared to one for St. Mary's. A raucous crowd of 928 cheered on the Orange and Blue from the opening kickoff.

What A Crowd

The Miners' season-opening match against St. Mary's attracted 928 fans to University Field on Sept. 4. That figure ranks as the third-highest total in the 11-year history of the program. The school record for attendance at a home match stands at 1,106, which came on Oct. 8, 2006, in UTEP's 1-0 victory against No. 17 Rice.

Cross Reaches 80-Win Plateau

The win against St. Mary's on Sept. 4 was the 80th career triumph for head coach Kevin Cross. In the midst of his seventh season at the helm of the program, the native of Richardson, Texas, has built the Miners into a regional and national power. UTEP has enjoyed a school-record five straight 10-plus win seasons. Entering the 2007 campaign, Cross ranked 27th nationally with a .672 career winning percentage.

Miners Fall In High-Scoring Affair At North Texas, 4-3

In a game featuring two of the top offenses in the country, the UTEP soccer team (1-1) fell at North Texas (2-0), 4-3, on Sept. 2. The Miners showed plenty of heart in the setback, erasing a 2-0 deficit at the half to tie the match in the 73rd minute on Cortney Casey's goal, but UNT retook the lead for good courtesy of a penalty kick with less than seven minutes to play. Casey, Jami Tullius and Tameka Sumter each scored for the second straight match for the Miners, while senior netminder Jessica Salvi registered nine saves. Casey also added an assist.

Tough To Swallow

UTEP fought back against a very talented North Texas team, which went 15-5-2 in 2006, to tie the match at two late in the second half. The hard work by the Miners was undone, though, when the Mean Green were awarded a penalty kick with less than seven minutes to play in the game. Traditionally in soccer, officials tend to put their whistles in their back pocket late in the match, especially when action is inside the box. UTEP did not get discouraged, though, even after North Texas added another goal two minutes later thanks to the Miners having to alter their strategy in an effort to find the equalizer. Rather, the Orange and Blue went on the offensive and climbed back within one with Tameka Sumter's tally.

UTEP Whips Sam Houston State, 6-1, In Season Opener

The UTEP women's soccer team kicked off the 2007 campaign in fine fashion, trouncing Sam Houston State 6-1 at Pritchett Field on Aug. 31. The game was tied, 1-1, at the half before the Miners erupted for five goals in the second period to coast to victory. Jo Radcliffe and Tameka Sumter each scored twice to lead the offensive onslaught, while senior netminder Jessica Salvi made five saves. UTEP registered 25 shots on goal while limiting the Bearkats to only six tries on net. The Miners took eight corner kicks compared to one for SHSU.

Success In Campaign Lid Lifters Nothing New

With the triumph against Sam Houston State, the Miners improved to 9-3 all time in season-opening matches, including 6-1 under head coach Kevin Cross. UTEP has dominated in campaign-christening contests, out-pacing the opposition to the tune of 43-15.

That's A Lot Of Goals

The six goals against Sam Houston State are the most in a game by the Miners since UTEP tallied 11 against Grambling State on Aug. 31, 2006. The effort tied as the 10th- highest sum in program annals.

And It Happened On The Road

Not only did UTEP score six goals on Aug. 31, but they accomplished the feat in enemy territory. The offensive outburst checked in as the third-highest total by the Miners in a road contest in school history.

Must Have Been Some Half Time Speech

Who knows exactly what head coach Kevin Cross said to his charges at the half, but whatever it was, the message certainly hit home. The Miners' offense came to life for five second-half goals against Sam Houston State. That figure ties as the third-most tallies during the second half in the Cross era.

Miners Tabbed Fourth In C-USA Preseason Poll

The UTEP soccer team was predicted by the leagues' coaches to finish in fourth place for the 2007 season, according to the preseason poll released by the Conference USA office on Aug. 16. It is the highest the Miners have been tabbed in the preseason poll since joining the league, which means that conference foes are starting to develop a healthy respect for the Orange and Blue.

Anoop Garners Recognition

Anoop Josan, who had a tremendous rookie campaign in 2006, was selected to the Preseason All-Conference USA squad, it was announced by the league office on Aug. 16. It marks the second straight year that the Miners have placed an individual on the conference's all-preseason team.

And The Captains Are...

Head coach Kevin Cross recently announced the captains for the 2007 squad, with seniors Jami Tullius and Kristin Wernimont sharing the honors. It is a fitting pair, as each is entering her fourth year with the squad. The duo has played a large role in the Miners posting a 50-16-2 since arriving on campus.

Same Face, Different Place

One of the reasons that UTEP has been so successful under Kevin Cross has been the willingness of players to put the team before themselves. The most recent example of this was during the offseason, when several players changed positions for the good of the team. Senior Angie Kleinfelder has switched to the midfield position after playing forward for three years. Junior Cortney Casey, UTEP's top scorer off the bench in 2006, has learned to play defense and will use her skills to shut down the opposition's top scoring threats. Also converted to defender was Neresa Taylor, who is considered the fastest player on the squad.

Plenty Of New Faces

While the Miners return a talented group of 12 letterwinners from last year's team that posted a 15-6 record, there certainly is not a shortage of newcomers on the 2007 roster. Ten rookies have been added since the end of last year. The breakdown is as follows; six freshmen and four junior-college transfers. Each of the players is expected to contribute in some way throughout the year.

What A Group Of Seniors

This year's senior class of Brandi Aston, Angie Kleinfelder, Brittany Popoff, Jessica Salvi, Jami Tullius and Kristin Wernimont has been extremely successful since arriving in the Sun City. UTEP has posted a record of 52-17-2 since 2004, the best three-year stretch in terms of most wins, fewest losses and winning percentage in program history. While the 2007 slate will once again be challenging, count on this group to set the bar for success high and continue to make Miner fans proud.

We Aren't Scared Of Those BCS Teams

One of the principles head coach Kevin Cross has instilled since assuming control of the program has been an attitude of respecting your opponent, but not being afraid of it. There is nothing better to prove that point than to look at UTEP's record against BCS schools since 2002, which is a sparkling 7-1.

Looking Back At 2006

UTEP went 15-6 a year ago, including 10-0 at University Field, and extended its streak to 11 straight conference tournament appearances. The Miners defeated two nationally-ranked opponents, No. 17 Rice and No. 25 Colorado College. Other accomplishments included setting program records for goals allowed (20), goals against average (0.93) and shutouts (11). Six of those blankings were consecutive, which also established a school standard. The Miners scored 56 goals-the third-highest sum in program annals-to pace Conference USA, with their average of 2.67 goals per game placing them 12th nationally. UTEP also led the league in save percentage, checking in at 14th in the country. Individuals continued to be noticed for their play, as five different players combined to reel in a program-best-tying six league player of the week accolades, including sweeping the award two straight weekends. Nationally, four different Miners were placed on national teams of the week a school-record eight times.

UTEP Plays To 1-1 Draw With Alumni

In a tune-up for the regular-season opener against Sam Houston State, the UTEP soccer team battled the Alumni Team to a 1-1 tie at University Field on Aug. 25. Cortney Casey scored with 25 minutes to play in the second half to put the Miners up 1-0, but the Alumni Team found the equalizer with two minutes left in the game courtesy of current assistant coach Kelly Parker's goal. UTEP out-shot the Alumni Team 32-12 and held a 10-2 edge in corner kicks. Junior Kira Lazenby patrolled the net for the Alumni Team, making 11 saves while seniors Jessica Salvi and Brittany Popoff combined for five stops for the Miners.