UTEP Soccer: 8/17 vs Texas Southern (PREVIEW)
- Kevin Bazar
- Aug 16
- 3 min read
Opening Statements
The UTEP Miners are eager to rebound this Sunday in a non-conference matchup against Texas Southern at University Field. After falling 1-0 to ACU in their season opener on Thursday, the Miners are hungry for their first win. Texas Southern, however, is in a similar position, having lost to New Mexico in their opener. Expect a competitive, back-and-forth match as both teams vie for their first victory of the 2025 season.
UTEP struggled in their opener, leading in total shots but conceding an early goal they couldn’t overcome. Look for the Miners to come out fast and aggressive, aiming to find the back of the net early. Their defensive backline will also need to regroup after Thursday’s performance. “One mistake really hurt us tonight, and that was uncharacteristic for our back line. We’ve got to get ready for Sunday,” Coach Gibbs Keeton said after the loss (per UTEP Athletics/Soccer postgame PR release). This suggests Coach Keeton has identified the issue and is ready to adjust. Expect a stout and alert Miners defense against Texas Southern’s forwards.
Get to Know the Tigers
Texas Southern Women’s Soccer is led by first-year coach Danesha Adams, the sixth women’s soccer coach in the program’s history. Adams brings extensive experience, having spent five seasons at the University of the Pacific, including four as co-head coach. Named co-head coach in July 2021 after just one season as an assistant, she earned West Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors following the 2021 campaign. Adams takes over a largely new roster after former head coach Kendall Ayers resigned in April to pursue another career opportunity.
Like UTEP, Texas Southern boasts a youthful roster still building chemistry. With nine true freshmen on their team and UTEP with eleven, both squads are young and hungry, making this matchup unpredictable and exciting. A key player to watch is junior forward Rayal Henderson, who logged just eight minutes in Texas Southern’s last match versus UTEP, but is poised to make an impact in their attack. Another threat is senior forward Jaycelyn Ross from Mississippi, who poses a challenge to opposing defenders whenever she’s on the pitch.
Keys to Victory for UTEP
After reviewing Texas Southern’s match against New Mexico, it’s clear their defenders struggled with speed against UNM’s forwards. The Lobos capitalized on their pace to outrun Tigers defenders, setting up easy assists near the net. UTEP, with some of the fastest forwards in their conference, should focus on connecting long passes to exploit this weakness. Additionally, Texas Southern struggled with their own long passes against New Mexico, possibly due to opening-game jitters. UTEP’s backline should aim to regain their form and capitalize on any attacking errors by the Tigers.
Texas Southern is likely to start junior goalkeeper Alicia Audu, though Coach Adams might opt for junior backup Alessandra Bastidas to shake things up. In their last meeting in September 2024, the game was a defensive battle. UTEP led 10-2 in shots in the first half but was outshot 4-2 in the second. Expect a similar contest, with UTEP pushing for more shots and an early goal to set the tone.
Closing Statement
This matchup promises to be a compelling battle between two teams eager to make their mark in 2025. For UTEP, this is a prime opportunity to build confidence before their two-game road trip in California next week. If the Miners can shake off the rust from their opener, expect them to come out firing, determined to prove they can dominate at home. The disappointment from Thursday’s loss was palpable, but this team knows they’re better than their opening performance. Catch the Miners take on the Texas Southern Tigers at University Field this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. MT. Tickets start at just $10!
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