EL PASO, Texas (Sept. 2, 2016) – Wyoming soccer was shut out for the first time in the 2016 season on Friday night in its 2-0 loss to UTEP from University Field in El Paso.

The Cowgirls (2-2-1) outshot UTEP 21-11, and put eight attempts on goal to the Miners’ six. Wyoming once again earned more corner kicks than its opponent, taking six trips to the corner flag while UTEP (3-0-2) took five. The Miners’ two goals marked just the second time this season that the Cowgirls’ allowed multiple goals from their opponent. Wyoming is 0-2-0 on the year when allowing two goals or more.   

The two teams remained tied, 0-0, at the half, with the Cowgirls seeing more chances at goal. It did not take long in the second frame, however, for UTEP to get the scoring going. Early in the 47th minute of action, UTEP’s Aleah Davis found the back of the net on a pass from Lauren Crenshaw.

Wyoming kept the pressure on in the second half looking to equalize, but the Miners put the game away with their second goal in the 73rd minute. Bri Thomas powered an unassisted shot into the upper-90, out of reach of junior goalkeeper Georgia Rowntree.

“It’s a tough game when you outshoot your opponent, 21-11, but we have to do a better job of putting the ball in the back of the net,” head coach Pete Cuadrado said. “We aren’t going to get a lot of opportunities against good teams and we have to be better in front goal. I definitely thought we played well for much of the game, but part of the nature of the game is that you have to finish your chances.”

Junior forward Shaina Ashouri led the Cowgirls in shots (5) and shots on goal (3). Both were season-high marks for the Parker, Colorado native. Sophomore defender Alyssa Murray tallied her first start of the 2016 campaign and made the most of her opportunity, notching two shots on goal. Rowntree finished the night with five saves, her third game of the season with five or more saves.

Up next for the Cowgirls is the conclusion of their three-game road trip against New Mexico State this Sunday at 11:30 a.m. MT. Live stats will be available at GoWyo.com.