Box Score ODESSA, Texas – Eastern New Mexico University women's soccer struck first in the second half, but UT Permian Basin responded with a pair of goals to hand the Greyhounds a 2-1 loss Saturday afternoon at the UTPB Soccer Field. The result moved ENMU to 1-4-1 overall and 0-3 in Lone Star Conference play.
The two sides played through a scoreless opening 45 minutes despite plenty of pressure from the Falcons. UTPB produced 16 shots in the first half, while the Greyhounds recorded six.
Aja Gonzales helped keep Eastern level with four first-half saves, including stops in the fourth and 12th minutes. UTPB also struck the crossbar twice during the opening period.
Eastern generated opportunities of its own before halftime.
Megan Mukiibi forced a save in the 11th minute before
Aubrie Bolanos and
Lilliana Duncan each put attempts on frame later in the half. The Greyhounds entered the break tied 0-0.
The breakthrough came in the 59th minute.
Isabel Ramirez found the back of the net for the first time in her collegiate career, finishing an opportunity set up by
Raylene Carillo to put Eastern ahead 1-0.
The lead lasted less than four minutes as UTPB's Breanna Reagan equalized at 62:40. Eastern continued to threaten following the tying goal, with Carillo putting a shot on target in the 65th minute and
Brenda Zepeda Aguilar forcing another save in the 72nd. Carillo added another shot on goal in the 78th minute.
UTPB eventually found the deciding goal with just over nine minutes remaining. Following a corner kick, Cassandra Ramirez connected with Emily Morales, who scored at 80:49 to give the Falcons their first lead of the match, 2-1.
Eastern finished the afternoon with 13 shots, placing seven on goal.
Brenda Zepeda Aguilar led ENMU with three attempts, while Mukiibi, Carillo and Duncan each recorded two. Ramirez finished with the Greyhounds' lone goal, while Carillo picked up the assist.
Gonzales turned in a strong performance in goal, playing all 90 minutes and making 12 saves, while allowing just two goals. Her eight saves in the second half helped keep the Greyhounds within striking distance throughout the match.
The Greyhounds finished with seven shots in the second half after recording six in the opening period. UTPB held a 31-13 advantage in total shots and a 14-7 edge in shots on goal.
ENMU will round out their string of road trips on Wednesday when they will face UT Dallas at 6 p.m. in Richardson, Texas. They'll finally return to Steve Loy Family Foundation Stadium on Friday to face DBU at 2 p.m. Both games will be streamed on FloCollege.
Live Stats for the UT Dallas match can be found here.
