by Kelly Brocklehurst
Daily Lobo
Senior goalkeeper Kristen Winters said Friday's game against Montana should show the UNM women's soccer team how much work it still needs.
"It'll give us a good point to see where we're at," she said.
The team is trying to get to a point where it's comfortable for conference play, head coach Kit Vela said.
In 2004, Montana head coach Neil Sedgwick led his team to a third-place finish in the Big Sky Conference with an overall record of 8-8-2.
The Lobos lost to Montana last year, 3-1, with sophomore Katelyn Ley scoring the lone goal for UNM.
The team has been preparing for Friday's game in different ways. In addition to fitness and preseason practice, the players have been learning their roles with the team, senior Nicole McCarty said.
McCarty, a defender, is one of three seniors on the team and is a team captain this year.
"It's an honor," she said. "Your roles aren't any different. You're the voice of the team."
McCarty started in 14 games in 2004 and played in 15 total games. She was an Academic all-MWC honoree. She was also named a MWC Scholar Athlete during her freshman year.
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Winters is also a team captain this year. She is the all-time leader in wins with 20, and with 17 shutouts, she holds the UNM all-time record.
Although the team has always had captains, this is the first year Vela said she feels like the team has leaders.
Nicole Pitcock, a senior defender, is the team's third captain this year. As a junior, she appeared in 14 games, starting seven of them.
Last season, the Lobos had an overall record of 5-12-0.
The team's lack of a winning tradition is its weakness, and the players will work on different things to improve, Vela said.
Despite not having a winning tradition, Vela said the team works hard, is determined and has a blue-collar attitude. In addition to Montana, the Lobos will also play Alabama (10-11-0 in 2004), Auburn (15-4-2) and Syracuse (8-9-2) in September.
"Every game is tough competition," Vela said.
Out of 29 players, 19 are returning to the Lobos this year. Nine returning players are starters. There are also 10 freshmen on the team this year.
Although the freshmen will see playing time this season, the team is not dependent on them, Vela said.
The Lobos will face Utah, San Diego State University, the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and Texas Christian University in Mountain West Conference play this season.
