For the first time in the 2016 season, New Mexico was able to play in front of its home crowd in a 2-0 shutout victory over in-state rival New Mexico State on Friday.
Head coach Heather Dyche said people jokingly asked if the team would still be able to find the field.
Just to be on the safe side, the Navy Leap Frogs parachuted onto the field prior to the match to lead the way.
Midfielder Claire Lynch got a great early look, but NMSU goalie Ashley Martin put herself in good position to thwart the attempt. That trend continued as the Lobos attacked early and often, but were unable to cash in on several quality scoring chances early in the match.
Martin was under duress often, as the Lobos controlled possession for nearly the entire first half. UNM fired off seven shots and had eight corner kick opportunities, but could not break through.
The Aggies (2-7-0) seemed to assert themselves with 15 minutes left in the frame, getting a pair of shots on goal, although goalkeeper Tayler Hammack was also up to the task.
Hammack may have been a little out of position on the second shot, but the ball dribbled wide of the right post anyway and the game went to halftime tied 0-0.
The Lobos continued to stay aggressive in the second half, but still had nothing to show for it after 60 minutes of solid scoring chances.
New Mexico had a wide open shot with Martin out of position. Her teammate Gabby Campbell made an outstanding save, getting a foot on the ball to clear it just mere inches before it crossed the line.
That relief was short-lived, though, because later in that possession, UNM’s persistence finally paid off. Lynch found the back of the net on a well-placed strike to break the stalemate and put the Lobos up 1-0 in the 61st minute.
“I knew the goalie was off her line a little bit, so I was just trying to place it over her head,” Lynch said.
Just over two minutes later, still in the 63rd minute, the Lobos kept the foot on the gas pedal and unleashed multiple shots on goal. Ruth Bruciaga wasn’t able to connect, but fellow Lobo Savannah Viola cleaned things up, scoring to take a 2-0 lead.
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The Lobos continued to apply pressure and had another flurry of scoring chances. The onslaught, which lasted about five minutes, seemed to be the turning point that tilted the match in favor of UNM.
“We call those moments big five moments — they’re moments in the game where you feel like the momentum can shift,” Dyche said. “I think our whole team thought that (shot saved by Campbell) was in, and I love that their reaction to that was to play harder instead of to back off.”
The Lobos were able to dictate the pace through almost the entire match by keeping the ball in the attacking half of the field and playing stingy defense. Dyche said centerbacks Ashley Ballantyne and Emily Chavez were outstanding, especially in the second half.
She said the team made adjustments after some missed clearances and mishandled counterattacks gave the Aggies scoring chances of their own.
Jennifer Muñoz played a vital role to the team’s success as well. She was able to consistently break down defenders and deliver pinpoint passes to set up her teammates.
“I just think they were in the right spots,” Muñoz said. “In practice, we talked a lot about getting to our places quick enough and know what our teammates are doing.”
She said the team chemistry is very good this year and things just clicked for the players in this match.
The 2-0 victory gave New Mexico (4-2-2) its third straight shutout, and its sixth straight win or tie overall.
The team also extended its unbeaten winning streak against the Aggies to seven. The Lobos have been dominant over that run, allowing just one goal while scoring 14.
New Mexico will stay home to begin its conference schedule. The team is slated to face Colorado College next Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Robert Maler is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers cross country, football, tennis, and track and field. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @robert_maler.
