MINERS

UTEP Soccer Newsletter: 2010 Rewind

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The Year In Review 

UTEP rolled to a mark of 11-8 on the year to record its school-record ninth straight winning season. All of those years featured at least 10 victories. The Miners only achieved the feat once (1998) prior to head coach Kevin Cross' tenure.

Each win was special, and a breakdown of all them them ensues.

The Miners opened up the season in fine fashion by posting a 1-0 triumph against the two-time defending Big Sky champion Northern Arizona Lumberjacks on Aug. 22.

An explosive first half proved big in a 3-1 defeat of Utah Valley University on Aug. 29.

The first road match of the year ended in thrilling fashionin what proved to be a 2-1 UTEP triumph at in-state foe Stephen F. Austin. on Sept. 3.

A flurry of offense was more than enough in a 5-1 rout at Houston Baptist on Sept. 5.

An early goal started the fun in an eventual 3-0 blanking of North Dakota on Sept. 11.

It was all UTEP in the first game of the Border Bash as the Miners dismantled Lamar, 6-1, on Sept. 17.

UTEP took home the title at the first Border Bash by destroying Alabama A&M, 12-1, on Sept. 19.

Conference USA play started on a high note with UTEP besting UAB, 3-1, on Sept. 24.

The Miners ran their winning streak to eight after toppling No. 25 Memphis, 2-1, on Sept. 26.

A high-quality senior class was sent out in style in a convincing 2-0 defeat of Southern Miss on Oct. 15.

Plenty of heart and determination was displayed as UTEP derailed rival Colorado College, 4-0, on the road in the season finale on Oct. 29.

Other team accomplishments included

  • Leading the nation in scoring for a good part of the year
  • Climbing to as high as 29th nationally In the TopDrawerSoccer.com ratings
  • Earning a regional ranking for a program-best seventh straight year.
  • Defeating a top-25 program.

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    Year Review Year Review Year Review

    Desilets Secures Academic All-American Honors 

    Senior defender Melissa Desilets enjoyed a fitting conclusion to her career in the Sun City with her selection to the 2010 ESPN Academic All-America® Women's Soccer second team on Nov. 19.

    The achievement was the latest of many for the native of Edmonton who became the fourth Miner soccer student-athlete to be so honored.
    Desilets Academic All-American Desilets Academic All-American Desilets Academic All-American

    Two Miners Reap C-USA Accolades 

    UTEP junior midfielder Katie Dorman and freshman defender Azia Nicholson have been recognized for their play during the 2010 season in the annual Conference USA soccer awards, the league office announced on Nov. 2

    Dorman garnered placement on the All C-USA third team while Nicholson secured a spot on the All-Freshman squad.
    All Conference All Conference All Conference

    Former Miner Parker Starring On International Stage 

    Former UTEP soccer standout and assistant coach Kelly Parker has continued to succeed on the international stage with the Canadian National Team. The latest accomplishment was helping Canada clinch a berth in the 2011 Women's World Cup in style by claiming the CONCACAF Championship.

    Parker's Bio On CanadaSoccer.Com.
    Canada Wins CONCACAF
    Kelly Parker (white headband to the left of the trophy) celebrates with Team Canada.

    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 (* dentotes as of start of the 2010 season):

  • Conference USA best-tying 85 wins since joining the league in 2005
  • Racked up 114 victories to tie for 13th nationally since 2002*
  • Scored 428 goals to place eighth in the country since 2002*
  • Garnered the No. 2 RPI in the state of Texas in 2009
  • Won a school-record and C-USA-best-tying 20 games in 2005
  • Beat Texas, 3-2, on the road in OT to advance to the second round of the '05 NCAA Tournament
  • Earned a regional ranking for a school-record seven straight years
  • Represented on the all-conference team 24 times
  • Accounted for 11 of the 12 all-region honorees in school history
  • Claimed 46 athletic weekly awards. UTEP had four such awards in five years before Cross' tenure.

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    Katie Dorman Anoop Josan Melissa Desilets

    El Paso, Texas: Now The Safest Big City In The Nation

    For the first time the city of El Paso has been ranked as the safest big city in the United States. El Paso moved from No. 2 to No. 1 in the annual report by the CQ Press.. The ranking comes in the same year that El Paso was named an All-American City.
    Top 10 Safest Cities In The Nation Top 10 Most Dangerous 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 Josa, 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