Miners goalkeeper Savanah Finley makes history with Mountain West Award

LAS VEGAS -- UTEP sophomore goalkeeper, Savanah Finley, has been chosen as the Mountain West Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week, the league office revealed Monday. It is the first weekly honor for the Miners across all sports as members of the MW and the second such accolade for Finley in her career. She was tabbed the CUSA Goalkeeper of the Week on Sept. 9, 2025. 

Finley posted a season-high-tying five saves on the way to securing her third clean sheet this year to lift the Miners to a 1-0 victory at Northern Arizona on Aug. 30. 

“Savy has been outstanding all season and her shutout at NAU on the road is deserving of conference accolades,” UTEP head coach Gibbs Keeton said. “We’re excited for Savanah and proud to see her earn Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, which celebrates a great full team defensive performance. This is the first Mountain West award for UTEP soccer, making Savanah a historic recipient for our program and our athletics department.”

Finley found herself under heavy pressure in the opening half, with the Lumberjacks enjoying advantages in both shots (13-4) and corner kicks (3-0). She turned away all four shots on goal in the frame to keep the Miners level before they picked up their play in the second stanza.

The 6-1 netminder made a couple of high-level stops in the opening 45 minutes, punching out a chance that had lots of pace on it from Nadege Robinson in the 17th minute and pushing a bouncing shot with force from Kaylee Muniz wide of the net in the 29th minute.

The native of Rockwall, Texas, used her feet well throughout the tilt, clearing multiple potentially dangerous through balls before they could be tracked down by the Lumberjacks. She also tracked several close shots in the opening period, wisely letting them go wide or high to avoid gifting NAU a corner kick.

Her efforts helped the Miners continue their longest unbeaten (3-0-2) surge to start the season since 2016 (5-0-2). UTEP has allowed just one goal on the campaign while notching four shutouts in the first five contests, the most in a decade. 

The Miners will return to action at home against San Diego at 7 p.m. MT Thursday. It is the “Student Appreciation Back-to-School” game, with a pre-contest (while supplies last) tailgate. There will also be a concession deal where individuals receive a free cookie with a purchase.