The UTEP Miners soccer team showcased a strong performance on the road, tying Kennesaw State 1-1 on Thursday evening in Georgia, despite clearly dominating the game statistics.
Ana Quintero, a key player for the Miners, scored her fourth goal of the season, highlighting her critical role in the team’s attack. The Miners outshot the Owls significantly, registering 21 shots compared to KSU’s 5, with 7 of those being on target against the Owls’ single shot on goal.
Record-Breaking Shot Count
This match marked a season-high for UTEP in both shots and corner kicks, with 21 and 8 respectively. It’s the first time since 2019 that the Miners have managed to get 20 or more shots in a single game, a testament to their offensive strategy and execution.
Coach Gibbs Keeton’s Insights
Head coach Gibbs Keeton expressed mixed feelings about the result. “Today was tough for our players to not secure 3 points on the road after a dominating attacking performance in the 2nd half,” Keeton said. He praised the team’s ability to create scoring opportunities and is optimistic about the upcoming games, especially the next home match.
First Half Dynamics
The game started aggressively with the Miners putting immediate pressure on Kennesaw State. Despite their efforts and multiple shots on goal in the first half, it was KSU who scored first. A quick rebound off a corner allowed Macie Rainwater to score in the 20th minute.
Miners’ Response
Undeterred, UTEP rallied back with Quintero making a significant impact just before the half-time whistle. She skillfully maneuvered past the defense to score a critical equalizer, keeping the Miners in the game.
Second Half Surge
UTEP maintained their intensity in the second half, doubling their shot count and keeping the KSU defense busy. Notable attempts by Taya Lopez and Eve Barry highlighted the persistent efforts of the Miners to clinch a win, but KSU’s goalkeeper, Caroline Wehr, kept the score level with several key saves.
Looking Ahead
The Miners are set to continue their season with a home game against Middle Tennessee on Thursday, September 26, at University Field. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. MT, where UTEP aims to convert their offensive efforts into a much-needed win in their CUSA home opener.
Fans are encouraged to come out and support the Miners as they look to capitalize on their home-field advantage and climb up the conference standings.
