From posting the most wins (13) at the school since 2009, advancing to the semifinals of the 2016 Conference USA Championships, tying the school record for shutouts (11) and pacing the league in attendance average (540 fans/game), it’s evident that that UTEP soccer team had an outstanding season in 2016.

Yet that doesn’t mean it should be taken for granted, especially considering that the squad was tabbed to finish 10th in the C-USA Preseason Coaches’ Poll. But through hard work, determination and unity, UTEP surpassed those expectations and more to achieve one of its finest seasons since the program was launched in 1996.

“To win 13 games really indicates we had an extremely successful season,” 16th-year head coach Kevin Cross said. “Wins are very hard to come by now with so much parity in Division I soccer, and Conference USA being so tough as well. We were so close to advancing to the Conference USA Championship this season.”

There were indications early that the Miners were in for a memorable year. Playing host to rival New Mexico State in the season opener, UTEP exploded for four second-half goals on the way to a convincing 5-0 rout in the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Battle of I-10 in front of a school-record 1,724 fans at University Field on Aug. 19.

The strong play in the second half continued throughout the entire year; UTEP outscored foes, 22-7, in the second half of contests in 2016 to help finish with a +16 overall margin (35-19). The tremendous fan support also was constant, with the Miners topping C-USA in attendance for the sixth time since joining the league in 2005.

The dominant win against NM State set the tone for non-conference play; UTEP rolled to a 7-1-2 in non-conference action to improve to 106-29-9 before league play since the start of 2002.

League play commenced at UAB, with UTEP battling hard only to suffer a 1-0 double-overtime loss in nearly 100° temperatures on Sept. 25. Rather than be demoralized by defeat, the Miners refocused for one of their best weeks of practice to prepare for the daunting task of venturing to the Eastern Time Zone for match-ups at Charlotte and Old Dominion.

In a weekend that defined and epitomized the heart and determination of the 2016 Miners, UTEP emerged with a thrilling 4-3 win at Charlotte (Sept. 30) before stifling Old Dominion, 2-0, (Oct. 2). It was a historic outcome, with it being the first time since 2007 and the second occasion in program history that the Miners won both road games of the weekend in conference play.

Nothing comes easy in sports, though, and UTEP was again facing some adversity after dropping a pair of contests at home to North Texas and Rice, respectively. Similar to earlier in the season, the Miners used the circumstances as fuel for motivation. They won two straight and three of the next five to secure one of the eight coveted spots for the 2016 C-USA Championships (hosted by Charlotte).  Senior night was especially memorable as UTEP Soccer beat Southern Miss by a score of 5-0.

The Miners were thrilled to be in field at the league’s pinnacle event, but they were still hungry for more success. Seeded seventh, UTEP made a statement by downing second-seed Rice, 1-0, to punch a ticket to the C-USA semifinals for the first time since 2011. The shutout was the school-record tying 11th of the season and the effort ended Rice’s seven-game win streak (longest active in league at time). Making the outcome even sweeter for the Orange and Blue was that they avenged a 3-0 home setback to the Owls on Oct. 9.

“Rice was the highest ranked team in Conference USA with a RPI of #45 when we beat them,” Cross said. “They were the hottest team in the conference winning seven straight games.  It took a total team effort to beat such a strong team, and sacrifice and commitment from every single player."

The reward for toppling Rice was a match-up with tournament host Charlotte, which was playing some of its best soccer of the season. Charlotte took a lead late in the first half and was able to hold on for the 1-0 win. Both teams finished with 15 shots, but UTEP controlled play in the second frame with a 9-4 advantage. The Miners almost found the equalizer, with Jeanna Mullen-who provided the match winner vs. Rice- blasting a shot that beat the keeper only to ricochet off the cross bar.

The loss was hard to take, but Cross found solace by putting the season in perspective.

“We had a very good season finishing as one of the top four schools out of 14 in Conference USA,” Cross said. “We narrowly missed the finals.”

UTEP’s consistent play on the pitch did not go unnoticed, with it being recognized both within the league and regionally as well. Senior midfielder Aleah Davis (All C-USA first team, All-Central Region second team) concluded her career as the only Miner to garner both All-Conference and All-Region accolades for all four years. Defender Lauren Crenshaw (C-USA All-Freshman team and All Region third team) and sophomore GK Alyssa Palacios (All C-USA third team) also were honored. Additionally the Miners secured a regional ranking for at least part of the season for the 11th time in the past 13 years. ​

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