EL PASO, Texas – Azia Nicholson (15:54), Mackenzie German (17:46) and Brittany Kindzierski (45:55) scored while Sarah Dilling made four saves to help UTEP topple Weber State, 3-0, in a lightening-shortened match at University Field Friday evening.
The Miners (5-2) were controlling all facets of the contest against the Wildcats (1-5) when lightening in the area forced it to be called with 10:55 remaining in regulation.
Tess Hall posted a pair of assists, lifting her career tally to 23. She is now seven shy of tying the school standard, which is held by former star and 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist Kelly Parker. Skye Schultz continued her comeback campaign by earning an assist on the goal by Kindzierski.
UTEP remains undefeated on the year at home (3-0). It is now 89-14-5 at the venue since 2002.
“I was really proud of how we responded today,” head coach Kevin Cross said. “We challenged them after the result Sunday, and they rose to the challenge. I was real proud of them.”
German generated a chance in the opening minutes, slipping through traffic on the end line before cutting out toward the pitch. She ripped a shot that beat WSU netminder Ryann Waldman, but it clanked off the crossbar in the fifth minute.
The game remained scores through 15 minutes, but the Orange and Blue’s offense came alive. Hall played a brilliant ball off a corner kick to Nicholson, who one-timed a shot past the helpless WSU keeper Ryann Waldman.
Before the Wildcats could blink, UTEP struck again. Hall’s deftly threaded the needle with a through ball to send German streaking in alone. The sophomore deked and drilled the ball into the back of the net.
Any aspirations of a comeback by the visitors were dashed when Kindzierski put the Orange and Blue up, 3-0, less than one minute into the second stanza. Schultz rifled a shot that appeared to cross the line after being deflected by the keeper, but it was a moot point as Kindzierski cleaned up the loose change.
Dilling preserved the clean sheet with a brilliant stop in the 51st minute. WSU’s Mackenzie Harrison laced a shot that appeared destined for upper 90’s country but Dilling used a breathtaking save to punch it wide.
UTEP took care of the service on the ensuing corner, and WSU didn’t threaten down the stretch.
The Miners will look to make it a perfect weekend when they challenge Sam Houston State at 12 p.m. MT Sunday. Fans can get a free child ticket with the purchase of an adult ticket as part of “Kids Club Day/Take a Kid To A Game Day” promotion on Sunday. Additionally, fans who wear a soccer jersey, or who carry an umbrella into University Field to stay in the shade, will get in free for Sunday’s match.
Additional Information:
-The U.S. Men's National Team lost to Jamaica in Kingston, by a score of 2-1. The USMNT will have the opportunity for a quick rematch on Tuesday when they will play in Columbus, Ohio at 6pm local time. This game will be a must win for the Americans in order to reach the final phase of World Cup Qualifying.
-Mexico went to Costa Rica and won in a convincing fashion by a score of 2-0. This give "El Tri" 9 points in 3 games and have practically locked up a place in the final phase of World Cup Qualifying. They will face Costa Rica once again on Tuesday. The Mexicans will return to Estadio Azteca for the first time after losing to the United States for the first time ever less than a month ago for this match.
great blog I'm a big football fan Excited for the 2012-2013 season
Posted by: galore | 09/12/2012 at 01:19 AM