EL PASO, Texas - The UTEP soccer team was edged out, 1-0, at Stephen F. Austin Friday evening. The homestanding Ladyjacks (2-2-0) grabbed an early lead on a goal from Chelsea Raymond at 5:29 of the first half and managed to keep the Miners’ (3-1-0) high-octane offense in check.

Freshmen goalkeeper Sarah Dilling was solid in her fourth career start, registering six stops. UTEP worked hard to crack the SFA defense, which was packed in very tightly throughout the tilt, but could never quite put it all together.

Head coach Kevin Cross’ charges recorded eight shots, including a pair on goal, while also earning a corner kick. SFA netminder Lacey Lee was up to the task, however. She turned away a try from Mackenzie German at 38:12 while coming up with a leaping stop on a Tess Hall free kick at 66:40.

It was a physical match with 23 fouls, including 14 on the Ladyjacks.

The Miners worked the ball up the pitch with a purpose in the third minute of the contest. A cross was sent toward Amanda Pak but her header was errant.

The Ladyjacks countered almost immediately, and would ultimately become the first Miner opponent to find the back of the net in 2011. Kylie Louw played a long thru ball toward Raymond. She managed to best Dilling with her shot to put her squad up 1-0.

UTEP settled down after the strike and had some chances to knot the tilt before the break. Tori Martyn found some space to operate but misfired high on a shot at 17:40. German was denied by Lee with seven minutes left in the first half.

The Miners came out aggressive in the second half, registering two shots and garnering a corner kick within the first seven minutes. It would not pay off in the form of a goal, though.

UTEP continued to control the possession as the half wore on, stringing together some passes while patiently probing the SFA defense. A foul against the Ladyjacks afforded the Orange and Blue a free kick from about 25 yards out with 26 minutes to play.

Hall, back from an injury, coerced a shot past the wall. It screamed in on net but Lee timed her jump well and snatched the ball out of the air.

SFA then started to find some offensive rhythm of its own, but Dilling would keep the Miners within striking distance. She made three saves in a four-minute span, including a brilliant diving stop on a shot from Raymond in the 81st minute

The Miners then launched an attack up the pitch and had numbers but a thru ball had a little too much on. Lee flew off her line to grab the ball before a shot could be taken.

UTEP will look to bounce back when it plays at Texas State at 12 p.m. MT Sunday.