Lobos take first rivalry game of the year

The University Of New Mexico soccer team faced off against their in-state rivals, the New Mexico State University Aggies on Sunday, Sept. 7. The Lobos entered the game all smiles, as Head Coach Heather Dyche was awarded prior to the game for her 100th win following their victory over the University of Oregon on Aug. 28.  The game would end on a high note as the Lobos pitched a shutout of the Aggies 4-0, giving Dyche her 102nd win.\\

The Lobos remain undefeated this season with a record of four wins and two ties. 

For the first 20 minutes of the game, it was strictly around defense as goalkeeper Jasmin Gonzalez-Rutt had an excellent game with seven saves, six occurring in the first half. Things started to click for the Lobos offensively as forward and Albuquerque native Savanah Sanchez scored the first goal for the Lobos following an assist from Allie Anderson.

Things started to escalate at the 34-minute mark as defender Fiona Jenkins hit a corner kick, which turned into an assist as Sanchez hit a header to score her second of two goals. 30 seconds later, Alèjandra Puerto found an opening after an assist from Mercedes Morris to score the third goal for UNM and the second in 30 seconds.

Things only got better for the Lobos as Alysa Whelchel scored goal number four following Norris’ second assist. Down 4-0 in the second half, the Aggies were getting less aggressive and less disciplined as they committed more fouls then shots, including a yellow card for Tessa O’Neill of NMSU.

The Lobos defense was top notch, as they had 2 more saves in the second half, bringing their total to eight for the game. Dyche was pleased with the performance, particularly of goalie Gonzalez-Rutt, she said.

“Anytime you give up seven shots and zero goals is a good sign of her confidence, so really happy for her (Rutt),” Dyche said.

Jenkins came into the game with a conference leading six assists, and today added another as she is three away from tying the program record of 10.

“I do my best to get forward and Savanah is always posting up, she is really aggressive in the air, so I know she is in the air and I can find her,” Jenkins said.

The Lobos hope to keep their momentum, as they go on the road, Thursday, Sept. 11, to face the University of California, Santa Barbara Gauchos.

Alex Joe is a freelance videographer for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @dailylobo