UTEP soccer stays undefeated on the season following 1-1 draw at Tarleton State

STEPHENVILLE, Texas - Zeta McDannels (48’) produced her second goal of the campaign while Savanah Finley delivered four saves to help the UTEP soccer team secure a 1-1 tie at Tarleton State Thursday evening.

The effort keeps the Miners (2-0-1) undefeated through three games on the season while the Texans (0-0-2) draw for the second time in as many matches. 

UTEP controlled good chunks of the match and outshot the home side, 22-12, while also holding a big advantage (8-1) in corner kicks.

After a scoreless first frame, McDannels vaulted the Orange and Blue into the lead after firing a shot in off the pass by Shawna Larson.

TSU, which couldn’t best Finley in the run of play, was able to pull even on a penalty kick (58’) by Adelaide Wyrzynski.

The Miners had the better opportunities the remainder of the stanza, but they were forced to settle for the tie. 

UTEP staved off a corner kick in the opening seconds of the contest before its tight shape led to an offside call (7’) against the home side.

After the Miners’ first corner kick of the match, they forced a turnover to set up Anai Lopez.

She blasted a shot (8’) that whistled just high of the frame. 

TSU’s initial challenge in the run of play came after a long through ball led to Zahra Friess streaking in alone from the right wing on Finley, who snuffed out the try (12’).

The Miners were quickly up into the Texans’ portion of the pitch, with a flurry of activity off a set piece.

Macey Williams had a great look, but the shot (13’) was blocked away.

Lopez was on the prowl again, but her try (22’) went over the frame. 

Following a hydration break, Finley was tested again as she punched a shot from Wyrzynski away. UTEP was back on the offensive almost immediately.

Haylee Lancaster’s foray (27’) toward the frame was blocked over the bar to set up another corner kick.

Finley delivered her third save of the stanza on an attempt (31’) by Zoe Ballard.

Sam Cortez then rocketed a shot (33’) off the crossbar for the home side. 

The Orange and Blue created a nifty counterattack resulting in a pair of shots (34’, 35’) from Valeria Agudelo and McDannels, respectively, that were errant.

The Miners had a great opportunity in the waning minutes of the frame only to have Neireiter’s shot (40’) on a free kick go high.

It was scoreless at the break despite nine first-half shots and a pair of corners from UTEP. 

The Miners’ persistent pressure paid dividends in the opening stages of the second half when McDannels buried a shot (48’) past the helpless keeper. Larson was credited with the assist.

The Orange and Blue nearly doubled the lead when Larson’s shot (54’) was pushed wide to set up a corner kick.

It was part of a big surge by the Orange and Blue that featured nine shots over the first 11 minutes of the second stanza. 

TSU’s ability to hold off another tally proved consequential.

The Texans found the equalizer on a penalty kick (58’) by Wyrzynski that barely snuck past the outstretched arms of Finley.

UTEP went back to work after the unlucky concession, garnering a corner kick (60’). It could not convert, however.

The Miners earned another corner kick (72’) 12 minutes later. The initial clearance failed, and Agudelo’s shot was blocked.

Finley did her part to keep the deadlock in place, denying a chipped shot (75’) from Peyton Bryant.

The Miners then did good work to prevent a clean look off a corner (77’) for the Texans. UTEP kept coming late, searching for a go-ahead goal. Alana Lawless-Felarca fired a shot (82’) that crept over the bar. 

The Miners will look to maintain an undefeated record when they play at ACU at 12 p.m. MT/1 p.m. CT Sunday.