Published: September 02, 2008 10:13 am      

Bobcats score a shutout in El Paso

Women’s College Soccer

El Paso — The Texas State Bobcats managed to tame a physical match brought on by the Eastern Washington Eagles, and turn it into a 2-0 shutout victory Sunday morning at the UTEP Miners’ Classic Tournament in El Paso.

The Bobcats shift to a 2-1 overall record with the win and grabs their second shutout of the season.

“They definitely tried to take us out of our element in the first half,” said head coach Kat Conner. “We fell victim to their style of play and the game got a lot more physical than I would have liked.”

The two teams combined for 15 fouls in the first period, including one from each squad in the opening four minutes of play.

Eastern Washington got the first look at the goal with a shot from Brittany Sparks that Bobcat goalkeeper Mandi Mawyer turned away for the ‘Cats. EWU tried back-to-back corner kicks and attempted five more shots Mawyer saved before Texas State took control of the ball.

“I am extremely proud of Mandi (Mawyer) and her performance,” said Conner. “This was a tough team that kept coming and never gave up and what helped Texas State, is that Mandi did the same thing. She never gave up.”

With the ball in the Bobcats’ possession, Andrea Grifo fired a corner kick in the 20th minute that Britney Curry headed but flew high, unable to give the Bobcats the edge leading into half-time.

“In the second half, we played our game,” said Conner. “We controlled the pace and fought off the physical barriers that were holding us back in the first half and won the game.”

After walking on to the team just one week ago, Karleigh Zolinski teamed up with Grifo to give the ‘Cats a 1-0 advantage in the 47th minute. Grifo found an opening and attempted a shot at the Eagles’ Ashley Rentz that she saved, but Zolinski caught the rebound and tapped in the goal for Texas State.

Bobcat newcomer Maddie Piranio followed suit and gave Texas State its final tally after changing possessions with a steal from Eastern Washington. Piranio dribbled to the box and beat the Eagles keeper with a low, hard shot into the net.

Texas State will remain on the road for a two-game series in Utah. The Bobcats will face Utah State Friday before taking on Utah Valley on Sept. 7. Both games are slated for 7 p.m. starts.