EL PASO, TEXAS – UTSA outshot UTEP by 13 on the night, but fell to UTEP in El Paso, 1-0.
"Winning is hard in C-USA and it's even harder on the road," UTSA head coach Derek Pittman said. "Unfortunately we weren't good enough in the first half and we paid the price for it. Our response in the second half was fantastic and we showed grit and toughness until the end. We learned a hard lesson tonight and we now have to find a way to play that way from the opening whistle."
UTSA (5-4-1, 0-2-0) found themselves in a defensive battle against conference opponent UTEP (3-7-0, 2-1-0) on Friday night. UTEP's Jojo Ngongo converted on a penalty kick in the 12th minute which proved to be the difference. UTEP also had another PK later in the match that they were unable to score on.
UTSA again outshot their opponent (22-9) as well as putting shots on net (11-3) but were unable to put any into the goal. The Roadrunners also had more corner kicks than the Miners with a 6-4 advantage.
Jil Schneider saved two goals on the night in 90 minutes. UTEP goalkeeper Luisa Palmen had a productive night as she saved 10 shots.
UTSA is back in action next Friday, October 1, as they host North Texas. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and will be played at Park West Athletics Complex and will be streamed on Conference USA TV.
- UTSA -