Staff report
The UNM women's soccer team swept two games over the University of Evansville and Oakland (Mich.) University to place second in the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic in Evansville, Ind., this weekend.
The Lobos placed behind tournament winners the University of Kansas (7-1-1) based on goal differential.
The Jayhawks, who shut out Evansville 2-0 and Oakland 1-0, finished plus-three to UNM's plus-two.
UNM junior Erchen Theys was named the tournament's offensive MVP for her weekend's work of two goals.
Sophomore midfielder Rachael Addison joined fellow midfielders Theys and junior Abbie Partch on the all-tournament team. The Lobos are now 5-3-0 on the season.
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UNM 1, Oakland 0
Sophomore goalkeeper Kristen Winters made just one save in recording her second shutout of the year for the Lobos. UNM's defense allowed only seven shots on goal for the match, controlling the Golden Grizzlies' direct attack by quashing attempts to loft long passes into the goal box.
Theys scored the only goal of the game, her third of the year, in the 43rd minute on a cross pass that found its way into the corner of goal.
The Lobos were able to keep constant pressure on the Oakland (2-6) defense, taking 10 total shots with three on goal.
"This was our most complete game defensively," Head coach Kit Vela said in a press release. "Clare Pollock played great at sweeper. Marissa McBride was solid in the stopper position and outside backs, Eryn Paetz and Deidre Devault were composed and strong."
UNM 3, Evansville 2
The Lobos conceded an early goal to the Purple Aces, but scored the next three goals to get the win.
Evansville (1-5-1) scored in the first minute on a goal from 30-yards out by senior midfielder Ashley Sandefur.
UNM equalized in the 38th minute when sophomore forward Laura Hafner took a long overhead pass from junior transfer Abbie Partch in close to get the goal.
The game remained scoreless for the rest of the half, as the Lobos stifled the Purple Aces' attack.
In the 53rd minute, junior forward Marte Dolva dribbled past the Evansville defense and slipped a shot by Evansville's senior goalkeeper Katie Howard to give UNM a 2-1 advantage.
Lobo midfielder Theys capped UNM's scoring in the 72nd minute when she sent in a hard shot from 25 yards out to make the score 3-1.
The Purple Aces scored on a counter in the 82nd minute when senior midfielder Tracye Burch took a pass from freshman Kelly D'Amico to make the score 3-2.
"It was a hard-fought game," Vela said. "Evansville is an experienced team with players who have a number of wins under their belts. We had a complete team effort tonight."
The Lobos travel to Alabama next weekend to take on 10th-ranked Auburn University Sept. 27 and Troy State University Sept. 29.
UNM plays its next home match on Oct. 17 when they host Mountain West Conference foe Brigham Young University.
