by Justin Goodrum
Daily Lobo
If the Lobo offense is any indication, playing four straight overtime games may wear on a team.
The UNM women's soccer team has struggled to score goals lately, and it continued that trend with a 3-0 loss to Utah at the UNM Soccer Complex on Sunday.
The overtime games - including three straight double-overtime contests - were tough on the Lobos, but they can't blame the loss on those games, said UNM assistant coach Jorge Vela.
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"The team is fatigued, but we can't make any excuses,"
Vela said.
The team was prepared for the game but couldn't finish opportunities, Terryn Granados, a UNM junior said.
"We are as fit as can be right now," she said. "It's just that something didn't click today."
With the loss, the Lobos fall to 6-6-3 overall and 0-2-2 in the Mountain West Conference.
In the first half, Lobo freshman Hannah Hand had a breakaway chance with a move past the Utah goalkeeper, but a Utah defender blocked the shot.
The teams were locked in a defensive battle with Utah having a 5-3 advantage of shots over the Lobos.
Following halftime, Utah kept possession of the ball in the UNM zone and began to attack the Lobo defense.
Despite the Utah attack, the Lobos prevented the Utes from scoring until a Lobo foul gave Utah a penalty kick.
Utah's Katy Reineke converted the scoring chance, giving the Utes their first lead of the game in the 68th minute.
After that goal, Utah increased its attack, receiving goals from Kelly Isleib and Amanda Feigt.
The Lobos only had four shots on goal in the second half.
Sophomore Krista Peterson said her team was unable to capitalize on opportunities.
"Today we showed up to play - we were beating them to balls and tackling - but we just couldn't score," Peterson said.
Vela said he was dissatisfied with the team's performance in the second half.
"We had a very good first half," he said. "But some players did not step up in the second half."
If the Lobos are going to compete in the MWC, things need to turn around quickly,
Peterson said.
"Basically, for conference we want to win; that's what we want to do," she said. "We want to make the tournament. We have to do everything possible to get there."
Vela said the Lobos need to play more like a unit.
"It was just a matter of certain players just hitting a wall or something," he said. "We became individuals instead of a team."
