The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team had a tough week, with games against the Utah State University Aggies and the Boise State University Broncos.
The Lobos faced the Aggies at home on Thursday, Oct. 16, with the game ultimately ending in a draw, securing a point in the Mountain West standings against the team selected as the preseason Mountain West favorite to win the conference title.
The Lobos then lost their undefeated streak in conference play against the Broncos on Sunday, Oct. 19, with a home loss of 2-1.
Utah State showed an aggressive offensive in both halves of the game, as they outshot the Lobos, ending at 15-11. UNM was stellar on defense with five saves from goalkeeper Alyson Campbell, who didn’t allow a single Utah State goal.
On the flip side, the Lobos were also out-guarded in the first, as players were unable to nail one into the net, despite four different Lobos trying to connect for some points. The Aggies had the Lobos on defense the whole game, but those extra shots over UNM were unable to provide the Aggies with an advantage and they could not score on the Lobos.
The Lobos struggled when it came to getting shots on the goal itself, as they had only two compared to Utah State’s five, further providing evidence that the Lobos were challenged offensively. UNM starters midfielder Alysa Whelchel and forward Nicole Anderson were the two Lobos who provided those shots. Anderson came close to putting the Lobos up at the 88-minute mark, but Utah State goalkeeper Taylor Rath dashed the Lobos’ hope.
On Sunday, the Lobos faced the number one team in the Mountain West, the Boise State Bronco, which the Lobos lost their first conference game of the year. UNM was once again put to the test defensively, as Campbell was forced to save seven attempted shots, Boise was able to connect on two. The Lobos and Broncos were near even when it came to shots during the entirety of the game, as Boise only outshot UNM 14-12, but the Lobos struggled for shots on the goal, as Boise had eight compared to UNM’s four.
Whelchel scored UNM’s lone goal of the game at the 5-minute mark from an assist from forward Savanah Sanchez.
The Lobos will continue the home stretch, hosting the University of Wyoming Cowgirls at the UNM Soccer Complex on Thursday, Oct. 23.
Wyatt S. Padilla is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on X @wyattspadilla
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