The Lobos scored first and didn't trail for nearly the entirety of the match — but when they finally did fall behind by surrendering a late goal to the Wyoming Cowgirls, there simply wasn't enough time to even the score.
It was the 84th minute. With the match in the waning stages, things seemed to be trending toward overtime until the Wyoming Cowgirls stunned the University of New Mexico women's soccer team — knocking through a goal in the 84th minute to garner its first lead of the day.
Wyoming (6-2-2, 1-1 MW) went up 3-2 on the scoreboard and the score held as it handed UNM its first loss at home this season. The three goals allowed by the Lobos on Sunday afternoon equaled the total number of goals they had given up in the previous five home matches combined.
The Cowgirls seemed to control the action for most of the game, but found itself in an early hole despite possessing the ball and being aggressive. New Mexico thwarted an early corner kick chance by Wyoming, needing a team save to keep things scoreless.
Redshirt sophomore Gwen Many picked up the first goal of the game, scoring in the 13th minute. It was the second goal of the season for the redshirt sophomore and it gave the Lobos a 1-0 lead at the time.
But it didn't last long.
Just 22 seconds later, New Mexico was called for a foul — awarding Wyoming a penalty kick. Junior midfielder Summer Taube stepped up and converted to even the score at 1-1.
The Cowgirls appeared to be in good position to move in front when it received a second penalty kick later in the half at the 35:01 mark. But UNM junior goalkeeper Emily Johnson guessed correctly and laid out to deny Taylor Burton that opportunity.
New Mexico had a couple of promising looks just before halftime, but Wyoming keeper Cristina Salazar saved two shot attempts to keep things a tie game at the break.
Wyoming was clearly the aggressor, outshooting New Mexico 5-3 in shots on goal and 10-4 overall in the opening frame. The seemingly frustrated Lobos were also whistled for 10 fouls in the first half.
The second half seemed to unfold in the same manner as the first. New Mexico struck first again, this time less than three minutes in the action. Jill Olguin set up Madi Hirschmann, who beat recently inserted goalkeeper Hannah Lee to put the Lobos up 2-1.
New Mexico stayed on the offensive, but couldn't increase the advantage and the lead evaporated again. It lasted a little bit longer, but Wyoming squared things up again less than eight minutes later when Brittney Stark put the ball past Johnson, who appeared to be caught out of position when she decided to come out and challenge the attacker.
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UNM had led for a few ticks over eight minutes in the match, but the schools were tied for over 75 minutes of the contest and overtime was looking like an imminent result as both teams struggled to break the stalemate.
But then Wyoming delivered a crushing blow to tip the scales in its favor. The Cowgirls sent a corner kick into the box and Alyssa Murray launched a dangerous header toward the UNM goal. Johnson dove and seemed to smother the ball to record a save, but somehow the ball worked its way free and found its way in the back of the net.
It was originally scored an own goal, though it was changed a few times before finally crediting Caitlyn Pickett for the put back goal. That score proved to be the game-winner as the Cowgirls effectively worked the clock to kill the final six and half minutes of the game and hold on for a 3-2 win.
The loss ended New Mexico's five-match winning streak at home and dropped its season record to 5-4 overall and 1-1 in Mountain West play.
UNM, still looking for its first road win, will head to California to face Fresno State on Friday, Sept. 28 at 8 p.m., followed by a matchup with San Jose State on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 2 p.m.
Robert Maler is the sports editor for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers basketball and baseball and contributes content for various other sports as well. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Robert_Maler.
