EL PASO, Texas – The Louisiana Tech soccer team struggled offensively in its first ever match played in El Paso as they fell 2-0 to UTEP on Thursday night at University Field.
 
LA Tech (11-3-2, 3-3-1 C-USA) produced a handful of scoring opportunities late in the second half, but by then it was too late as UTEP (8-4-3, 3-2-1 C-USA) had already built a two-goal advantage.
 
"UTEP is a very good team with outstanding speed out wide that we struggled to keep in check," said head coach Kevin Sherry.  "We had a lot of freshmen in the game tonight and this will be a learning experience for them.
 
"We take heart from the second half performance which we were in more control of the offense and we created a few very good looks at their goal."
 
Playing with a more defensive approach in the high altitude, the Lady Techsters fought off a number of shots in the first period, mostly through blocks and the occasional easy save by Carlotta Cartelli.
 
After fighting off the Miners first corner of the night, the home team was able to find the back of the net on their second corner which came in the 31st minute as Vanessa Cabello sent the free kick to the top of the six where it was headed inside the far post by Nicole Pugsley.
 
The score would remain 1-0 in favor of UTEP at halftime, but the Miners quickly added an insurance goal less than a minute into the second period.
 
It started with a long ball up the left flank that was run on by Lauren Crenshaw who then dribbled up the end line and fired a shot that was initially saved by Cartelli, but Tessa Carlin cleaned up the rebound into the open net.
 
The scoring chances came later on, two of which were free kicks taken by Jaelyn Peeples.  One was taken just outside the 18, but the senior's shot was blocked.  And later on, the midfielder took one from 30 yards out, but the opposing keeper was able to get just enough of a hand on the ball for the save.
 
The Lady Techsters also had three corner kicks in the second 45 minutes.  However, none of the set pieces were able to produce a goal.
 
LA Tech attempted six shots with only one coming on goal.  Cartelli was credited with seven saves in net.
 
The team returns to action on Sunday when they make the trek to San Antonio to take on UTSA.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
 
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