UTEP goalkeeper looking to build on freshman season

EL PASO, Texas – In sports there is a common saying that most freshmen who stand out in their athletic discipline tend to go through a sophomore slump.

Alyssa Palacios is not like most sophomores. Palacios has continued her dominance as the goalkeeper for the UTEP soccer team, and there does not seem to be a sophomore slump in sight.

This 2016 season may prove to be an even bigger season for Palacios than her freshman season. She has already managed to do something that had not been done in more than six years. Palacios was named as the Conference USA goalkeeper of the week for the second time this year, making her the first UTEP goalkeeper to do so since 2010.

Palacios was named to the Conference USA All Freshman team last year, making her the second UTEP goal keeper to be awarded that recognition and only the ninth overall Miner to be named to the all freshman team. In her sophomore year, Palacios has already had eight clean sheets in the preseason; making her a player to definitely keep a close eye on.

Those eight clean sheets are what has earned her “goalkeeper of the week” accolades from C-USA.

“It means so much to me, the team means a lot; we all work really hard and I do whatever I can for them, it’s really cool to see that people know that I am getting recognized for it,” Palacios said.

Palacios took over for UTEP’s senior goalkeeper, Keighton Allen, last year after Allen was injured. It’s a move that has proven to be effective for the team. Head coach Kevin Cross said the decision to start Palacios was not an easy one to make, but he has no regrets doing it.

“She got some excellent experience last year because Keighton, who was in top form, got injured so we had to throw her into the fire right off the bat,” Coach Cross said.

Palacios is already playing at a level that most players only reach when they become upperclassmen. Her teammates believe she has still not hit her peak and that she can only get better from here.

“I think she is really stepping up into her role,” said UTEP midfielder Nicole Lindsay, “Sarah Dilling was a phenomenal goal keeper as well, but there is just something about Alyssa. I think she still has another level, I’m really excited to see it, hopefully this season.”