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The UNM women’s soccer team has been on a hot streak ever since its 4-1 victory over Southern Methodist University on Aug. 31.
The Lobos look to carry that momentum on to a third straight Mountain West regular-season crown.
Winners of six of their last seven matches, the Lobos open their conference schedule today with a 6 p.m. home contest with Boise State. The Lobos, who won the 2010 and 2011 regular-season conference titles, stand 6-4-1 overall following a 0-3-1 start.
“Conference was our goal,” UNM head women’s soccer coach Kit Vela said. “Leading up to conference we wanted to get better and better, and start popping and moving by the time we got there.”
The UNM Soccer Complex will host Stuff the Stadium Night for the Lobo women’s third home contest. General admission tickets are free for students and $2 for nonstudents.
In addition to an early advantage in conference play, a win will give Vela a career milestone: her 100th coaching victory.
“What will it mean? It means that we’re 1-0 in conference,” Vela said with a laugh. “I think we’ve come a long way in 12 years. Looking back 11 years, when we took over this program, we had great vision. We didn’t know how fast we could accomplish it.”
UNM brings two streaks into today’s contest.
The Lobos have not lost a conference game since October 2009, going 10-0-4 during that period. They also have a 10-match unbeaten home streak — eight wins and two ties. The latter feat is a school-tying record.
Vela said she isn’t focused on either those streaks.
“We just play game by game,” she said. “Soccer’s a cruel sport.
You really can’t guarantee anything … We’re proving at a very high level right now that if you work hard and outwork your opponents, you can make your own luck. The girls buy into that.”
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In 2012, UNM has scored 15 goals while giving up 11. Senior midfielder Rachel Montoya leads the scoring with four goals, and junior defender Liz Nare has a team-high three assists. Senior goalie Kelli Cornell has four shutouts and has surrendered 0.97 goals per game.
Boise State comes to Albuquerque with a 5-6-1 mark following a 1-0 win over the University of Pennsylvania. The Broncos have scored 16 goals and allowed 20.
Sophomore midfielder Shannon Schueren has five goals and two assists so far for Boise State. Her assist total is tied with Boise State senior midfielder Lauren Hickok and senior defender Mandy Nader. In net, sophomore keeper Maddy McDevitt has given up 1.59 goals and recorded three shutouts.
Vela said Boise State features the same kind of dynamic play UNM has seen earlier in the season.
“I’m sure they’re feeling the same way, ready for conference,” she said. “I think Friday night is going to be a very enthusiastic, exciting game against a conference opponent.”
Women’s soccer vs. Boise State
Friday
6 p.m.
UNM Soccer Complex
