UTEP soccer opens season with 2-0 victory over Lamar Wednesday night
EL PASO, Texas - UTEP opened the 2026 season in strong fashion Wednesday night, defeating Lamar 2-0 at University Field behind a pair of first-half goals and a disciplined defensive effort.
The Miners (1-0) outshot the Cardinals (0-1) 10-2 and controlled much of the match on their way to a season-opening victory.
UTEP wasted little time establishing momentum, generating early pressure and earning the game's first corner kick in the fifth minute.
After forcing Lamar goalkeeper Eloise Bywater into a pair of saves, the Miners broke through in the 16th minute when a dangerous ball into the box resulted in an own goal by the Cardinals, giving UTEP a 1-0 lead.
Ashlee Mora led the attack into the box, resulting in a goal.
The Miners doubled their advantage less than 11 minutes later. Defender Ashlyn Neireiter joined the attack and finished a setup from Mora in the 27th minute for her first goal of the season, pushing UTEP ahead 2-0.
For Mora, it was his third career assist, while Neireiter scored her fifth-career goal.
“For us, it’s important to start the season this way. I feel like we set new standards, and we’re fortunate to have our season opener at home,” UTEP head coach Gibbs Keeton said. “The reality is, you can’t win them all if you don’t win the first game, and I’m really proud of the performance as much as I am of the result. How we won is something that we haven’t seen our team do before, and now we have to continue to do that every single day.”
UTEP continued to dictate play throughout the opening half, holding a 5-1 advantage in shots and taking a 2-0 lead into intermission. Lamar's lone first-half attempt was blocked, while Bywater kept the Cardinals within reach with two saves.
The second half saw the Miners maintain control despite not adding to their lead. UTEP generated five more shots and four corner kicks after halftime, forcing Lamar reserve goalkeeper Keely Thomas into a pair of saves. Macey Williams and Anai Lopez each tested the Cardinals' defense as the Miners looked to extend the margin.
Lamar's best scoring opportunity came in the 72nd minute when Sydney Williams put the Cardinals' only shot on goal of the night on frame, but UTEP goalkeeper Savanah Finley made the dramatic save to preserve the clean sheet. Finley finished with one save in 90 minutes of action.
The Miners finished with advantages in shots (10-2), shots on goal (5-1), corner kicks (5-1), and possession (56 percent to 44 percent). Both teams were charged with nine fouls, while four yellow cards were issued during a physical second half.
Neireiter led UTEP with a goal on two shots, while Mora recorded the assist on the eventual game-winning score. Williams paced the Miners with two shots on target. For Lamar, Sydney Williams and Kam Jalayer accounted for the Cardinals' two total shots.
UP NEXT
UTEP hosts Sul Ross State on Sunday, August 16, at 5 p.m. at University Field.
