No longer nationally neglected

Sure, the UNM women’s soccer team is well-aware of the significance of Saturday’s game, but there’s no sense in stressing about it.
The Lobos, currently 11-1-4, tied Wyoming 1-1 tie Sunday in Laramie, Wyo., extending their undefeated streak to nine games. They travel to face TCU Saturday.

For now, UNM has secured a share of the Mountain West Conference regular-season title. As it stands, the Lobos can clinch the MWC title outright with a win/tie against TCU or a BYU tie or Utah loss.

Assistant coach Jorge Vela, who filled in for head coach Kit Vela at Tuesday’s media luncheon, said the team’s chemistry isn’t a complicated formula.

“This is a very, very simple team, but they are a proud team,” he said.
Proud because the Lobos are ranked in national polls.

UNM is No. 23 in Soccer America’s poll, while it’s No. 24 in Soccer Times and No. 27 in the NCAA poll.
After beating BYU on Oct. 16, the Lobos’ Ratings Percentage Index (RPI) soared to 19, the team’s highest RPI ranking.
Vela said the team built on last year’s successful campaign.

“That is what’s funny about sports,” he said. “I felt that we had an amazing year last year with some great soccer. That is what has allowed us to do what we have done this year. The nice thing is that we know we’re good, (the media) has seen us play and knows (we) are good. But the nice thing is now the country knows that we’re a good team.”

Late in the year, defense remains a point of emphasis for the Lobos, and they credit their defensive commitment when mentioning the team’s success. UNM has allowed only five goals, one which was scored by a Lobo defender.
The more important statistic, of course: UNM has 11 shutouts this season.

Junior forward Jennifer Williams said the team’s defense is impenetrable, even during intrasquad scrimmages.
“Our defense is played amazing. They have shot down top

players and top forwards. We had our own defender, Roxie (McFarland) score on us earlier in the season,” Williams said, jokingly chiding her teammate. “It’s hard to just get past them in practice.”

Those rigorous practices helped UNM secure the top seed in the MWC tournament, which starts Nov. 3-6 in San Diego, Calif.
Vela said the Lobos aren’t looking past any team, and that applies to the Horned Frogs.
“TCU is a tremendous team,” he said. “You know, they have been a little bit up and down, and it makes them even more dangerous. For our girls, it’s Saturday — that is what’s important to us. After that, we will worry about the rest.”