HOUSTON – Houston Christian University opened its home slate with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with the visiting UTEP Miners at Sorrels Field on Saturday evening.
The two teams battled back and forth through a scoreless first 45 mintues that wasn't without a couple of good chances for either team. The Miners put two shots on goal in the first eight minutes, including a sharp smash from the left side from Mina Rodriguez at the opening minute mark of the contest.
Emily Jaimes would put a shot on goal in the 21
st minute, but each team would bend and not break, going to the intermission in a scoreless tie.
The second half saw UTEP come out aggressive, putting 10 total shots up. The Miners would finally crack the scoreboard in the 59
th minute when out of a corner kick from the left side, Ashlyn Neireiter got to the entry from Mina Rodriguez near the middle of the box and cooly headed home the first goal to the right corner.
That Miner lead would last for just over 10 minutes. It was there in the 69
th minute that
Emily Jaimes evened the count as she took a loose ball deep outside the box and lofted a beauty over the keepers head for an equalizing goal.
The two teams would continue to battle with the Miners pushing ahead hard and the Huskies giving no quarter on the defensive end. UTEP would end the night with a 14-4 shots advantage, including 7-2 on goal, and earned five corners to just one for HCU.
It was the second goal of the campaign for Jaimes, who had both shots on goal on the evening for HCU in 76 minutes played.
Emmy McKeon was solid in the woodwork for the hosts, stopping six shots.
The Miners got the goal from Neireiter on her only shot on goal for the evening, as the visitors had seven difference players get a shot on target. Angelina Amparano had one save for UTEP, now 1-1-2 on the season.
HCU sees its record to to 1-3-1 on the season. After playing their first five matches over the span of 15 days, the Huskies will have a week off before hitting the pitch again. HCU will next be in action on Sunday, September 8 when it hosts Abilene Christian on Fondren Road.
#DawgsUp
