ODESSA, Texas (September 5, 2026) – The final nonconference match of the 2026 season for The University of Texas Permian Basin women's soccer team was also the Falcons' first match so far this season against a fellow NCAA Division II opponent. In the end, the Falcons shut out New Mexico Highlands University 2-0 on Saturday at the UTPB Soccer Field.
In the 17th minute, the best early opportunity to score for either team came as a turnover by the Falcons led to a shot in the middle of the box by the Cowgirls' Taylor Delgado, but with only the goalie to beat, she missed high.
Then in the 20th minute, a long free kick by NMHU's Tammia Thorpe hit off the crossbar and led to a chance on a loose ball in the box, but the rebound shot by the Cowgirls' Mia Roybal was saved by the Falcons' goalkeeper
Valeria Delgado.
Despite the Cowgirls leading 6-3 on shots to start the match, it was UTPB who broke through with a goal as back-to-back blocked shots by the Falcons ultimately led to a goal for
Kally Calcaterra in the 27th minute.
Later in the final 2:30 of the first half, a foul on NMHU led to a free kick for the Falcons about five yards on top of the right, outside corner of the box, and
Breanna Reagan fired a beautiful shot to the top, left corner of the goal off the goalkeepers' hands and into the back of the net.
That made it a 2-0 Falcons' lead in the first half.
It was the first-career goal as Falcons for both Calcaterra and Reagan.
UTPB tried multiple times to add a third goal in the second half. A beautiful run up the middle and pass outside by
Molly King to
Mariela Ojeda running in stride led to a save in the 57th minute. Another beautiful pass, this time from Reagan up the field to
Cassandra Ramirez in the middle of the box and in between two defenders led to a shot that just barely missed wide left in the 69th minute. Then exactly 15 minutes later, a similar play ensued as
Trinity Vasquez passed it up to Ramirez, who again missed wide left.
Ramirez led the Falcons with four shot attempts and two shots on goal while King added three shots and Ojeda had two.
Delgado finished with two saves in the first half, but in the end, the suffocating Falcons' defense finished with the shutout and allowed only one shot attempt against new goalkeeper
Alexia Hernandez in the second half.
Two names highlighting the backline for the Falcons so far this season have been
Alyssa Pipes, who at this point has played the most minutes on the team, and
Sarah Williams for her leadership role on the defense.
With the win, UTPB achieves the first 3-0 start to a season in program history (NCAA DII era) and earns its first three-match winning streak since the 2009 season.
"It is a great feeling when you start the season undefeated," said UTPB Head Women's Soccer Coach
Garrett Kull. "It feels like our entire team has been buying in and contributing. I have been so impressed with how we have been able to use players in different roles and positions. Highlands was a good battle today, and I am sure they are going to find success in the RMAC this season. It is great that we set out to hit these goals of scoring and defending and we are not just relying on one or two players to get the job done. We had two players score their first goals for the Falcons today, so that is just icing on the cake. It feels amazing to have the best start now in program history, but we know the most important games are now ahead of us and we have to keep continuing to work hard and get better."
Next up for the Falcons will be their fourth straight home match to open up the 2026 season. UTPB plays host to Midwestern State University for its first Lone Star Conference match of the season at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, September 9.
