EL PASO, Texas— UTEP was too much for Northern Colorado as the Miners won, 2-0, at University Field Sunday. Senior Katie Dorman put the Miners ahead in the 6th minute from a cross by junior Brittany Kindzierski and freshman midfielder Mackenzie German scored the second goal in the 72 minute.

“We’re really excited about the way we came out, and our coach Jo (Radcliff) always tells us we have to play two halves for two games every weekend. I think we finally did that this weekend,” Dorman said. “They were strong, and came out feisty and it took us a while to put them away with that second goal.”

UTEP opened the game with a solid half of soccer where fans saw the Miners control most of the possessions. That control led to eight shots on goal. The Miners were able to penetrate through the wings and down the middle. This allowed Kindzierski to use her speed and precision crosses to find some players open in the box, which is how she found Dorman for the first goal.

The defense was in form being able to spot out where Northern Colorado intended to send passes, and they were dictating where their offense wanted to go. UTEP’s midfield won headers and were urgent in their in their attack when Northern Colorado was in UTEP’s half of the field.

“Defense wins championships in every sport, and I thought they were on their game,” head coach Kevin Cross said. “There was only one or two times they messed up but they won a ton of balls.”

In the second half, the Miners were able to put three shots on target thanks to some precision passes by sophomore midfielders Tori Martyn and Tess Hall. UTEP broke down the Bears’ defense, which led to the goal from German at the 72-minute mark in the match.

“The defenders kind of gave me some space, and then the ball came at my feet and I went at them and shot it,” German said. “I was going to start but in warm up something happened, I hurt my arm, but I knew I just had to play and didn’t want it to hold me back.”

Junior midfielder Tess Hall was the Miners most influential player throughout the match winning possession in the midfield and taking shots on target most of the game. Hall had five solid opportunities to score, but luck wasn’t on her side with some of the shots hitting the post or stopped by Bears’ goalkeeper Kirstin Salminen.

“I was a little unfortunate,” Hall said. “It was fun that I had some many opportunities, and the credit really goes to the team because they set up everything.”

The Miners are back on track with two wins at the weekend, but no go on the road next weekend where they have had a tough time. They play Sam Houston State on Friday where they will have a chance to change their record on the road.

“We’re going to come play on the road because you can’t be a good team and accomplish your goals not playing well on the road,” Cross said.

Gus Contreras may be reached at show@minerillustrated.com.