Sports - The Daily Lobo

Sports

Lobo women's basketball start of season strong

Alanie Rael and Angelina Pompeo | November 13

On Tuesday, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team (3-0) defeated the Houston Cougars (1-1) at the Dreamstyle Arena. This was their third game of the season after previously winning their first two games against Northern Arizona and the University of California, Riverside. Starting the game were Lobo sophomores Ahlise Hurst and Jayla Everett, junior Antonia Anderson, and seniors Najala Howell and Jordan Hosey. In the first three quarters, the Lobos outscored the Cougars. Although New Mexico lead for three quarters of the game, Houston outscored UNM 26-11 in the final quarter. UNM left the game with their third win of the season, with the final score of 81-71.

Sports

UNM women's soccer ends 2019 season strong

Angelina Pompeo | November 13

A strong record continues for the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team. They managed to secure another win against San Jose State during the week’s tournament play but couldn’t overcome Boise State. In Boise, Idaho, the Mountain West Conference tournament took place with New Mexico (11-7-1, 7-4-1) playing both the Spartans (7-9-4, 5-5-2) and the Boise Broncos (17-4-0, 9-3-0) in the quarter and semi-final games.

Sports

Five new inductees to UNM Athletic Hall of Honor announced

Angelina Pompeo | November 13

Five individuals were inducted into the University of New Mexico athletic Hall of Honors this fall. Alumni we honored for their success as UNM athletes and service to the University after graduating. The University established the UNM Athletic Hall of Honors 1986 to celebrate and recognize Alumni Lettermen and promote current student-athletes. This year UNM is awarded two Distinguished Service Awards in addition to the inductions of this year’s Hall of Honors class, as well as honored two current student-athletes for athlete of the year and Joe Franklin as coach of the year.

Sports

Lobo offense looks strong despite defensive concerns in opening night victory

Joe Rull | November 7

The University of New Mexico Lobos came away with a 92-71 opening night victory against Eastern New Mexico University at Dreamstyle Arena on Wednesday . UNM’s (1-0, 0-0 MWC) highly touted offensive talent made its presence known as the Lobos geared up for what many project to be a successful season. UNM’s offense featured double-digit scoring efforts from five players as the Lobos flaunted a pass-first approach that produced an impressive 22 assists on 33 made shots.

Sports

UNM Football Player Nahje Flowers dead at 21

Alanie Rael and Justin Garcia | November 5

Nahje Flowers, a defensive lineman and Junior at the University of New Mexico, died this week, according to Assistant Athletic Director Frank Mercogliano. The details of Flowers’ passing are unknown at the time this article published. In a statement, head coach Bob Davie acknowledged the loss for his players and all who knew Flowers. “Nahje was a wonderful person and a great teammate. Our entire Lobo Football family mourns his passing, and our prayers go out to his family.” Davie said.

Sports

Wolf Pack hands Lobos sixth consecutive loss

Spencer Butler | November 4

The University of New Mexico football team continued to freefall as they lost to the University of Nevada over the weekend. The loss added their losing streak which has now reached a six-game streak. The loss also knocked the Lobos out of bowl contention for the third consecutive season. The game kicked off with UNM winning the coin toss and chose to punt the ball to Nevada. Nevada’s possession lasted only for a few minutes when the Lobo defense forced a punt.

Sports

Women's XC takes gold at Mountain West Conference

Alanie Rael | November 4

The University of New Mexico women’s cross country team has dominated another Mountain West Conference XC Championship — their twelfth consecutive year taking the gold. The race, ran in Utah on Nov. 1, was another big victory for the Lobos as their competition was unable to hold a flame to running team. Ahead of the pack was New Mexico’s Weini Kelati, last year’s female champion and two-time MWC Athlete of the Week. Kelati secured her second MW champion title with a time of 19:11.2, breaking the Mountain West record by 26 seconds.

Sports

Lobo Volleyball fall in three straight games, 1-9 record

Alanie Rael and Reyes Gallegos | October 31

After a tough loss in four sets against the San Jose State Spartans, the University of New Mexico Volleyball team traveled to the west to duel against the University of Nevada Las Vegas. The UNLV Rebels took the first set by a total score of 25-12. The first set featured six service errors by UNLV and a six to one rebel-run that extended the UNLV lead from 3-4 to 9-5. In the second set, the Lobos responded with a 25-19 set win.UNLV had its own response taking the next two sets 25-16 and 25-19. Overall in the match, UNLV had 62 kills compared to New Mexico’s 38.

Sports

'You run to live': UNM's Kelati talks past, ambitions

Emille Domschot | October 28

For University of New Mexico cross country runner Weini Kelati, running wasn’t originally something she saw as a sport – it was simply a necessary part of life. Though she has lived in the United States for the past five years, she is originally from Eritrea, Africa. "Our daily life was running. You run to live, because we don’t have transportation back home," Kelati said. When she was 12 years old, Kelati's P.E. coach persuaded her to start running competitively, even though she initially didn’t want to. Unwilling to be second in a race, Kelati won in her first regional competition.

Sports

Lobo football dominated by Rainbow Warriors

Angelina Pompeo | October 28

The University of New Mexico football team fell to the University of Hawaii over the weekend, going on a five-game losing streak for the season. Hawaii closed out the Lobos 45-31 by the final whistle. The game kicked off with the Lobos receiving the ball. Their possession lasted only a few minutes before Hawaii received a turn-over kick. On their second play, Hawaii’s quarterback Cole McDonald rushed for a 76-yard touchdown putting the Rainbow Warriors on the board, 7-0. In the Lobo’s next possession, they rushed down the field to give kicker Andrew Shelley a successful opportunity to put three points up on the board. This was followed shortly by a Hawaii interception and a second touchdown, widening Hawaii’s lead 14-3.

Sports

Lobo football can't wrangle Cowboys, lose 23-10

Angelina Pompeo | October 21

The University of New Mexico football team (2-5) was outmatched by the University of Wyoming Cowboys (5-2) in an away game on Saturday, losing 23-10. This game was the 95th homecoming game for the Cowboys and the 70th one played in their War Memorial Stadium. At the start of the game, UNM won the coin toss and chose to receive the ball. In its first possession, Wyoming inched up the field but had to punt after not receiving a first down and played Ryan Galovich as its punter.

Sports

United reserves playoff seat in season finale

Justin Garcia | October 21

It seemed unlikely going in, and they can’t take all the credit for themselves, but New Mexico United made the United Soccer League Championship playoffs after beating Las Vegas Lights FC 2-0 on Saturday night, Oct. 19. It would be a different story altogether if not for San Antonio FC. Hosting a hobbled Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at home, San Antonio handed the game to Colorado Springs after an own goal and a score from the 10-man Switchbacks. That game, which ended during halftime of United’s game, gave New Mexico a win-and-you're-in opportunity.

Sports

36th annual Duke City Marathon hosted along bosque trail

Alanie Rael | October 21

The City of Albuquerque held its 36th Annual Big 5 Duke City Marathon this weekend. A classic New Mexico event, the marathon is ranked as the 22nd best marathon in the world according to the Active Times. The morning consisted of seven different events, including the 26.2-mile-long marathon, the Paseo del Bosque recreation trail, the five-leg marathon relay, a half marathon, a 10k and a 5k. Participants of all ages and backgrounds lined up at the start and ran, or walked, their respective races for the day. Supporters lined up along the Bosque trail to cheer for the runners, many of them being relay teams that partook in the event.

News

Nunez gives new timeline on media deal

Justin Garcia | October 17

The University of New Mexico Athletics Department is one step closer to signing a multi-million dollar media-rights deal, months after Athletics Director Eddie Nunez went public with the deal in Sept. Nunez said during an Oct 15. Board of Regents meeting that he expects the deal to be done by December. In the meantime, Nunez told the regents that until the new contract with Outfront Media was signed, "bridge contracts" have been allowing the company to handle UNM's media, such as the golobos website. The contract with the previous company, Learfield, was worth $4,456,500, according to the Athletics department. The Santa Fe New Mexican reported that the department was expecting the new contract to be worth around $3.5 million. Outfront also represents Louisiana State University (Nuñez’s previous employer), University of Maryland, Wichita State University, the University of Virginia, along with five other university sports programs

Sports

Lobos drop the ball against CSU

Alanie Rael | October 13

The Colorado State Rams football team took full advantage of the University of New Mexico’s mistakes in their Friday night matchup, ending the game 35-21 Rams. The game kicked off with CSU pushing through New Mexico’s defense and putting in the first touchdown by tight end Trey McBride after a 42-yard pass from Rams quarterback Patrick O’Brien. Leading the Lobos 7-0, the game stayed neutral for Colorado until the 10-minute mark when the Letayve Beaton of New Mexico forced a fumble. It was recovered by Lobo safety Brandon Burton. The recovery gave UNM the opportunity to catch up to CSU but the team came up short and were forced to kick the ball away on the fourth down.

Sports

Lobos lose at San Jose State

Reyes Gallegos | October 7

The University of New Mexico football team (2-3) lost Friday night’s game against the San Jose State Spartans (3-2) with a final score of 32-21. San Jose State senior quarterback Josh Love was the game's leading passer, throwing for 405 yards and two touchdowns on 24 completions. Lobos senior quarterback Sheriron Jones was the game's leading rusher, totaling a career high of 104 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries. The game opened with Love completing a pass to wide receiver Tre Walker for 39 yards down to the UNM 48-yard line. San Jose moved the ball down the field until UNM defensive lineman Erin Austin strip sacked Love, resulting in a fumble recovered by senior cornerback De’John Rodgers. Picking up the fumble gave UNM the chance to run ten plays for 26 yards, setting kicker Andrew Shelley up for a 29-yard field goal attempt that Shelley missed — his first failed field goal attempt of the season.

Sports

UNM women's soccer brings in Dyche's 50th win

Colin Peña | October 7

The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team beat the University of Nevada with a score of 3-1 on Friday, Oct. 4 in a lopsided game that improves UNM’s Mountain West Conference standing. The match between canid mascots began with the Lady Lobos maintaining constant pressure on the Wolfpack’s defense. Early shots by Jessie Hix and Alesia Garcia were stopped by leaping saves from Nevada keeper Kendal Stovall. In the 13th minute, a New Mexico pass was managed into the box without any Nevada defenders nearby and Lobo midfielder Maysa Walters was able to smash it past Stovall for a 1-0 Lobos lead.

Sports

United draws, sneaks into playoff picture

Justin Garcia | October 7

New Mexico United managed a draw against Rio Grande Valley, putting them inside the top 10 and back into playoff contention. If United’s opening season were to end today, they would make the playoffs as a tenth seed. Before United took the pitch, the team sat just outside the bubble of playoff teams. They came in with a tie against league leader Phoenix Rising and a loss to Reno 1886. Still, United found itself in a good position going to the final TK-stretch of it’s opening season, in control of its own destiny. In front of a crowd announced at 11,196, United struggled to find their offensive footing against the RGV team with no chance of making the playoffs. United managed to control the match possessing the ball for almost two-thirds of the game, taking 13 shots on the goal and eight from inside the box. None of that was enough to put forth a dominant effort, something United needed to make an impact on the field

Sports

UNM Volleyball kicks off conference play with two losses

Angelina Pompeo | October 2

Kicking off their Mountain West Conference (MWC) tournament, the University of New Mexico volleyball team played and loss to both Colorado State and the University of Wyoming this past week, putting New Mexico at a 5-9 record. Thursday, Sept. 26, the Lobos played three sets against Colorado State in their MWC opener game. CSU won the sets with the scores being 13-25 in the first, 11-25 in the second and 15-25 in the third. Even with the loss, Lobo outside hitters Lauren Twitty and Tai Bierra both lead the team with five kills each. Bierra also had the teams only two service aces through the game. The Lobos were outnumbered in kills, assists and blocks during the three sets that —16 kills versus CSU’s 39, 4 blocks verses 15 and 15 assists against 38.

Sports

QB Tuioti reflects on loss of grandfather, looks ahead

Alanie Rael and Dan Goodwin | October 2

The University of New Mexico's clash against in-state rivals New Mexico State University was an edge-of-your-seat kind of game for the 2019 football season. With the game being so close (55-52), it came down to how much fighting spirit the Lobos brought to the field. "After the game, it was about my grandfather," Quarterback and third-year player Tevaka Tuioti said in an interview with the Daily Lobo. "His family service was coming up on Sunday with a burial Monday morning." Tuioti was essential to UNM’s success over the Aggies, throwing for 355 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. After the win against NMSU, Tuioti gave brief remarks in the postgame press conference. He wasn’t on his way to celebrate the Lobos' victory with his teammates — he had a flight to California to catch.