ODESSA, Texas (September 26, 2026) – An impressive goal by
Cassandra Ramirez tied it at 1-1 in the first half, but a second goal on a cross followed by a header for the Comets was enough to send The University of Texas at Dallas to a 2-1 win over The University of Texas Permian Basin Falcons on Saturday at the UTPB Soccer Field.
The defense for UTPB (4-5 overall, 1-5 Lone Star Conference) had to work hard in the opening 10 minutes of the match as UTD (7-2-1, 3-2-1) brought the pressure and intensity, but it was the Falcons who ended up making the Comets have to make the first two saves of the match on shots on goal by
Ailene Rodarte and
Breanna Reagan.
However, UTD broke through first in the final second of the 24th minute when a free kick from 25 yards out by Jules Chavez resulted in a perfect pass for a header goal into the top, left corner by Gabby Thompson. It was the sixth goal of the season for Thompson, who last year was named First-Team All-LSC and Second-Team All-Region by both the D2CCA and United Soccer Coaches after tying for second in the league with 12 goals and tying for first with four game-winning goals.
UTPB had the answer in the final 10 minutes of the first half when Ramirez took the ball away from her defender and after a one-touch, sent in a weak-footed chip over the top of the keeper again from about 25 yards out. It was Ramirez's career-best fifth goal of the season, and was the 15th goal of her career. Ramirez is now just three goals away from tying for third on UTPB's career-goals list.
After first-half goals by each of the team's leading goal scorers, the second half was sure to be a good one.
In the first two minutes of the half, a free kick by Chavez from 35 yards out was centered onto the goal, but was shot right to
Valeria Delgado for the save.
Then just over three minutes later, it was Chavez who made some nice moves in the box to get past her defender and get an eye on the goal, but her shot just barely missed high.
Just two and a half minutes after that, UTD scored its second header goal on yet another great cross across the box as Kaley Robinson put the Comets ahead 2-1 in the 53rd minute.
Delgado made a diving save going to her right in the 57th minute, helping to keep it at a one-goal deficit.
Entering the final 15 minutes of the match, UTPB had to take some risks offensively to try and find another equalizer, but the UTD offense was relentless, limiting the number of opportunities the Falcons could get.
In the end, UTPB's lone shot in the second half did not come until the final six minutes when back-to-back fouls on the Comets led to a free kick by Ramirez from 30 yards out, but it was shot right at the keeper. Ramirez finished with three of UTPB's five shots on the match, all five of which were put on goal.
UTPB led 4-3 on shots on goal in the first half, but in the second half it was a 15-1 advantage on shots for the Comets.
Delgado played all 90 minutes for the second match in a row and finished with six saves, including four in the second half.
Melyna Martinez, the LSC Preseason Goalie of the Year, made four saves for UTD, including three in the first half. Martinez was the 2025 LSC Goalkeeper of the Year at Angelo State University. She also earned All-South Central Region honors last season and started the current season for the Comets with six straight shutouts.
Defensively for UTPB,
Alyssa Pipes played all 90 minutes while
Emily Morales received special recognition on the sideline from Head Coach
Garrett Kull for her efforts.
"It was obviously a close game, and it is one of those where you just have to tip your hat to UT Dallas," spoke Coach Kull after the match. "That is one of the best attacks in the league. To hold them to two goals and be there at the end is a big step forward for this team. We played our game today, and while it is a bit unconventional, it shows that we can play with some of the top teams in the conference. Today, we felt everyone stepped up and supported each other. This team has a lot of potential, and it is fulfilling to watch them just keep improving every game."
Week four of LSC action will begin with the Falcons remaining at home on Wednesday, September 30, to host Lubbock Christian University at 6 p.m.
