UTEP Soccer Is Off to a Statement Start at 2-0
The Miners have opened the 2026 season with two dominant performances, and the early results suggest UTEP may be ready to make some noise in its first Mountain West season.
UTEP soccer couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the 2026 season.
Two games. Two wins. Seven goals scored. Zero conceded.
After opening the season with a 2-0 victory over Lamar, the Miners followed it up Sunday with a dominant 5-0 win over Sul Ross State at University Field. UTEP is now 2-0 for the first time in the 2026 campaign and has quickly established itself as one of the teams to watch heading into the heart of the schedule. (UTEP Miners)
A Defense That Hasn’t Given Opponents Much
The most impressive part of UTEP’s start may not even be the seven goals.
It’s the zero.
Through two matches, the Miners have allowed just three shots, with opponents failing to find the back of the net. UTEP’s defensive organization has been outstanding, particularly in the season opener against Lamar, when the Miners limited the Cardinals to only two shots. (UTEP Miners)
That kind of defensive consistency can become a major advantage as the competition gets tougher.
Head coach Gibbs Keeton emphasized after the Lamar win that the way UTEP won was just as important as the result itself. The Miners controlled possession, created pressure and played with the kind of discipline that can translate into success later in the season. (KFOX)
The Attack Is Starting to Click
UTEP has also shown that it can create chances in bunches.
The Miners registered 10 shots against Lamar before exploding for 32 shots against Sul Ross State. Five different players scored against Sul Ross, including Zeta McDannels, Anai Lopez, Ashlyn Neireiter, Bethlehem Daniel and Valeria Agudelo. (UTEP Miners)
Neireiter has already made an impact on both sides of the ball. She scored UTEP’s second goal against Lamar in the 27th minute after Ashlee Mora set her up, giving the defender her fifth career goal. (KVIA)
Mora was also instrumental in the opener, helping create both of UTEP’s goals.
The early numbers tell the story: UTEP isn’t simply winning — it’s controlling games.
A New Conference, A Big Opportunity
This season carries extra significance for the Miners.
UTEP is entering its first season as a member of the Mountain West, with a 19-game regular-season schedule that includes 10 conference matches. (UTEP Miners)
That means the first two games aren’t going to determine UTEP’s season.
But they can establish an identity.
And so far, that identity looks clear: aggressive attack, disciplined defending and a team capable of putting pressure on opponents for extended stretches.
The real test will come when UTEP begins facing Mountain West competition later in the season.
Don’t Get Ahead of It — But Pay Attention
There is still a long way to go.
Sul Ross State is a Division II opponent, so the 5-0 result needs to be viewed in context. And UTEP will eventually face significantly tougher competition.
Still, there is a difference between simply winning those games and dominating them.
UTEP has done both.
The Miners have started 2-0, haven’t conceded a goal, have already found seven goals and are averaging 21 shots per game.
For a program entering a new conference, that’s exactly the kind of start you want.
Now comes the interesting part.
Can UTEP carry this momentum into the tougher portion of its schedule?
If the first two games are any indication, the Miners are giving fans plenty of reasons to believe this could be a special season.
UTEP is 2-0. And this time, the Miners aren’t just starting fast they’re making a statement.
