The BYU Cougars lived up to their name Saturday at the UNM Soccer Complex, pouncing on opportunities.
The Lobos had a strong performance, tying the game in the second half, but lost 2-1.
The loss dropped the Lobos to 7-5-4 overall and 2-3-0 in the Mountain West Conference.
Head coach Kit Vela said her team played valiantly.
"That's one of the best games we've played all season," she said. "BYU is one of the best teams in the country."
In the 32nd minute, BYU forward Katie Hodgkiss blasted a 40-yard shot into the top of the net and past the outstretched arms of UNM goalkeeper Shannon Adragna.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
UNM managed only three shots in the first half.
"We needed to play with a lot of heart and energy and just go at them with all that we had," midfielder Amanda Collins said.
In the second half, UNM turned up the intensity, as the Lobos got off 12 more shots and held BYU to five. It was only the second time this season that an MWC team out-shot the Cougars.
"We pushed our midfielders up more, and we started looking for the balls over the top for our forwards to run wide," Collins said. "We wanted to push their defense back and put pressure on them."
The adjustment worked.
In the 47th minute, sophomore Alexis Ball crossed a ball into the box. After BYU's goalie got a hand on it, Collins banged home the put-back to tie the game at 1-1.
"We got a goal, and we had a lot more energy and a lot more location," Vela said. "I thought we were going to get another one right after that."
Eleven minutes after Collins' goal, BYU's Katie Larkin broke into the middle and deposited a goal in the far left post, putting the Cougars ahead for good.
Vela said she was pleased with the game despite being on the wrong end of the scoring column.
"It's unfortunate that we kicked ourselves in the foot a little bit and gave up two silly goals," she said. "But that's the best 90 minutes we have ever played - ever - against a team of that caliber."
