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UTEP Soccer Newsletter: August 2012

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Pre-Game Tailgate Highlights Wednesday Home Opener

The home opener for UTEP is always special. What makes the 2012 home opener against Texas State at 7 p.m. Wednesday is that there will be a pre-game tailgate, sponsored by the UTEP Alumni Association. Fans are encouraged to attend the tailgate where they will have a chance to get free tickets while also having a chance to win some great prizes.
Coach Cross Amanda Pak Azia Nicholson
Season-Opening Success Continues

UTEP has been a consistent winners over the years, especially in the season opener during Coach Cross' career.

That trend continued in 2012, with the Miners winning at 2011 Great West Champion Utah Valley, 2-1, on Aug. 17.

UTEP is now 14-3 all time in season openers, including 11-1 under Coach Cross.
Azia Nicholson Tess Hall Skye Schultz

Former Miner Wins Bronze Medal At 2012 London Olympic Games

Only the very best athletes compete at the Olympics. Even fewer win a medal. Count former Miner Kelly Parker in that select group, as she took home a bronze medal with Canada at the 2012 London Olympics.

It was a great moment for both Parker and the program when Canada won the bronze medal match.

Her path to the Games was a challenge, and you can read about her amazing story on page 72 of the 2012 UTEP Summer magazine or get your own copy of the article by downloading it as a PDF.
Parker
Join Us On Social Media

UTEP has been so lucky to get such great fan support throughout the years.

To make the relationship even better, the Miners are now interacting more than ever with its fans through social media.

Be sure to join the more than 700 people to LIKE us on Facebook if you haven't already.

Also come join the more than 450 fans to FOLLOW us on Twitter if you are not yet doing that.

We look forward to hearing from you all!
Team Cheer Paydirt Pete Kevin Cross
2012 Preseason Had Plenty Of Fun

UTEP works extremely hard to get ready for the season during training camp, but it also understands the importance of working on team chemistry and enjoying time together.

It is the approach of making sure to have fun that builds the family atmosphere for the program, and that was certainly the case once again in 2012.

A team dinner is a great way to learn more about your teammates, especially when there are all sorts of skits, songs and a mini talent show.

Everyone on the team obviously likes to play soccer. But what makes soccer even more fun is playing it in costumes, which is exactly what happened for the annual Green Grass Classic!

The Miners also took a break to beat the heat with a good old-fashioned water balloon fight.

Going out for some dessert is good way to spend an evening so of course the Miners got some yogurt together

Parker
Third-Annual Media PK Challenge Big Success

A great tradition that has been established in recent years is the Media Penalty Kick Challenge.

The event gives media a chance to take penalty kicks against UTEP goalkeepers in a team-based format that has been a lot of fun for everyone since it first started in 2010.

This year's PK Challenge was a big success, with more than 15 media members coming out to participate. Relive the best moments through this photogallery or even better just watch this awesome video by Andrew Latham.

PK Challenge

This Is UTEP Soccer

For those who need a crash course on UTEP soccer, you've come to the right place. The Miners have been embraced by El Paso, and they have rewarded the faithful by turning into a league and regional power. Consider the following accomplishments under head coach Kevin Cross (* denotes prior to start of 2012 season):
  • 136 wins to rate 22nd in the country since 2002*
  • 10 straight winning seasons, all of which had at least 10 victories*
  • Tied for second in C-USA with 96 wins after becoming a member in 2005*
  • Played in three league championship games, including in 2011*
  • Record of 86-14-3 at home since 2002*
  • Outscored the opposition, 303-90, in those home contests*
  • One of 12 teams in the country with more than 500 goals in the past decade
  • Represented on the all-conference team 24 times*
  • 513 goals to rate eighth in the country since 2002*
  • Attracted a Conference-USA best 41,675 fans to its home games since 2005*
  • Led C-USA in attendance four times out of seven since joining it in 2005*
  • Earned 131 academic honors & 186 academic awards in its 16-year history*
  • Won at Texas to advance to the second round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament
  • Been represented at both the FIFA Women's World Cup & Summer Olympics
Katie Dorman Anoop Josan Melissa Desilets

El Paso, Texas, Repeats As Safest Big City In The Nation

For the second straight year the city of El Paso has been ranked as the safest big city in the United States.

Additionally, it has been in the top three since 1997!

Look at the list of rankings below or check out the complete report compiled by the CQ Press.
Top 10 Safest Big Cities In The Nation Top 10 Most Dangerous Big Cities In The Nation

1. EL PASO, TEXAS

 1. Detroit, Mich.
2. Honolulu, Hawaii. 2. Baltimore, Md.
3. New York, N.Y. 3. Memphis, Tenn.
4. San Jose, Calif. 4. Washington, D.C.
5. San Diego, Calif. 5. Atlanta, Ga.
6. Austin, Texas 6. Indianapolis, Ind.
7. Portland, Ore.  7. Philadelphia, Pa. 
8. Los Angeles, Calif.  8. Milwaukee, Wis.
9. Seattle, Wash. 9. Houston, Texas
10. Fort Worth, Texas  10. Columbus, Ohio
El Paso Folklore Downtown skyline Fireworks at festival