EL PASO, Texas – Tess Hall scored twice while Mackenzie German also found the back of the net to help lead the UTEP soccer team to an impressive 3-1 victory against Texas State in its home opener at University Field Wednesday evening.

The Miners (2-1-0) controlled the contest, outshooting the defending Southland Conference champion and 2011 NCAA Tournament participant Bobcats (1-1-0), 18-7, including 10-2 in shots on goal.

Hall’s first goal came off a feed from Jade Babcock to afford UTEP a 1-0 lead at 23:29. The home side extended the advantage to 2-0 less than three minutes into the second half from a brilliant finish by German.  Azia Nicholson was credited with the assist.

TSU countered with a goal from Sydney Curry at 50:31,but Hall re-instated a two-tally edge (3-1) after burying a shot from a set piece at 77:21.

Sarah Dilling was called upon to make just one save for the Orange and Blue, with the defense doing a good job of limiting quality chances for TSU. The Bobcats used a pair of goaltenders, with Natalie Gardini registering four saves in 79:17 minutes of action while reserve Caitlyn Rinehart was credited with three stops in a flawless 10:43 of play.

A great crowd of 805 was on hand, imploring the Miners to the triumph. UTEP is now 87-14-5 at home since 2002, and it is on 14-match unbeaten streak at the Border Shootout.

“We feel pretty good about the win,” UTEP head coach Kevin Cross said. “There’s definitely some things we need to work on but that was a huge win for us. We’ve very thankful for El Paso. It was a phenomenal crowd that gave us a huge boost. We’re so glad to have the chance to play here.”

UTEP dictated the tempo early, with senior Brittany Kindzierski firing a pair of rockets that forced Gardini into quality stops. The visitors got their offense going through corner kicks, generating three in the first eight minutes but nice defending by the Orange and Blue prevented any true opportunities.

Hall got the scoring started by putting away a ball in the box after a bit of a scramble midway through the first half. Babcock played the ball into the area, and Hall was able to corral it amidst some traffic to send it home.

The Miners’ energy was even better in the minutes following the goal, with consecutive corner kicks but they couldn’t find paydirt. TSU had one final corner late in the period, but it didn’t result in anything of consequence.

UTEP started the second half much like it did the first, but this time it would result in a goal. Nicholson made a good move to get German open, and the sophomore didn’t disappoint. She used a brilliant finish that barely kissed the crossbar as it dipped into the goal at 47:43.

TSU dashed the home side’s hope of a shutout after Tori Hale set up Curry at 50:31, but the Miners kept things together. 

Stringing together passes and being patient in its attack, UTEP nearly had a third goal in the 73rd. Shots by Hall and Kindzierkski were blocked, but the pair stayed after the play. Kindzierski tracked down the loose change and bested Gardini only to have the ball deflect off the post.

Undeterred, the Orange and Blue continued to pressure in search of the all-importance insurance tally. A foul on TSU just outside the box gave Hall the perfect chance, and she would take advantage. Hall brilliantly bent the ball over the wall, sailing it into upper 90’s country and past a helpless Gardini.

UTEP closed out the contest in style, with the lone opportunity by the Bobcats down the stretch being a corner kick.

The Miners will be back in action when they challenge Army at 11 a.m. MT Sunday. It will be “Hawaiian Day,” for the tilt, with fans who wear a Hawaiian shirt getting in free. 

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