UTEP Women’s Soccer Defeat Lubbock in Season Opener Game!

EL PASO, Texas – The UTEP soccer team opened its 2018 season with a 6-1 win over Lubbock Christian University at University Field Friday night. The Miners (1-0-0) dominated the second half with five of their six goals against the Lady Chaps coming after the break.

Jojo Ngongo (14’), Anna Jimmerson (47’), Vic Bohdan (56’), April Pate (64’), Danielle Carreon (69’) and Jackie Soto (77’) all scored their first goals of the season for the Orange and Blue. Alyssa Palacios registered three saves. Allison Scott (88’) spoiled the shutout with a penalty kick goal.

“We had a really good second half having five goals and five different people score,” UTEP head coach Kevin Cross said. “We asked our team to high pressure and move more and it paid off in the second half. It was a beautiful night for soccer with a great crowd. We appreciate the cheerleaders and everybody coming out.”

The Miners got on the board first in the 14th minute with a goal by Ngongo, which was assisted by Pate. Pate crossed it into the box where Ngongo slid and tapped the ball past the goalkeeper.

UTEP controlled the first half with 10 shots, including five shots on goal. The Lady Chaps responded with four shots, one of which was on goal.

UTEP started the second half strong with a strike in the first two minutes by Jimmerson. The ball was crossed toward the goal by Nicole Pugsley before it was finished by Jimmerson. Shortly after that the Miners added to the scoreboard.

Bohdan shot the ball that was deflected by a defender into the goal at the 54th minute. The Miners continued to possess the ball before putting another one on the board.

Pate nailed the ball from outside the box into the goal in the 64th minute of the game. Before the Lady Chaps could catch their breath, the Miners were on the board in the 68th minute. Pate crossed the ball into the box to Carreon for another goal.

The final tally of the match for the Miners happened when Soto dribbled the ball past three defenders into the box. She then sailed the ball over the goalkeeper into the back of the net in the 76th minute. The Lady Chaps capitalized on a hand ball inside the box resulting in the aforementioned penalty kick.

UTEP will be back in action when it plays at Abilene Christian at 6 p.m. MT on Sunday.