Sports - The Daily Lobo

Lobo redshirt senior center Ebony Walker, left, passes to junior guard Brea Mitchell during Friday’s Lobo Howl at the Pit. Mitchell advanced to the final round of the 3-point shooting contest that night, beating out freshman guard Cherise Beynon 16-12.

Sports

Women's basketball: Team shows off court, dance skills at Lobo Howl

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 20

In a night ruled by nerves, good 3-point shooting and a team song and dance, the New Mexico women’s basketball team was introduced to its home crowd during the annual Lobo Howl. Coming down the ramp in The Pit for the first time in the 2014 season in front of 7,123 fans on Friday night, the Lobos appeared decidedly uncomfortable.“These guys were so nervous during the 11-man break, the full-court drill that we did,” head coach Yvonne Sanchez said. “You could tell by the shots and the passes; but they enjoyed it so much.”

Sports

Sports Briefs for Oct. 20

Thomas Romero-Salas and Kyle Tomasi | October 20

The New Mexico men’s soccer team lost 1-0 at Kentucky on Saturday night. Wildcat forward Justin Laird scored the only goal of the game in the 31st minute with a volley from 10 yards out over the defense, according to golobos.com.

New Mexico men’s basketball head coach Craig Neal has his head shaved during Friday night’s Lobo Howl event at the Pit. Neal, along with his son, sophomore guard Cullen Neal, and senior guard Hugh Greenwood, has been growing out his hair to raise money for breast cancer awareness and show support for Greenwood’s mother, who was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 18 months ago.

Sports

Close shave for Neal at Lobo Howl

Kyle Tomasi | October 20

Walking around campus this past year and a half, students may have noticed something a little different about senior guard Hugh Greenwood. That something? He has been growing his hair past his shoulders.He said he grew the long locks because his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer more than 18 months ago.Other members of the Lobo men’s basketball team got on board to help, too. Head coach Craig Neal and his son, sophomore guard Cullen Neal, have also been growing out their hair to show support for Greenwood’s family.

The Lobo Volleyball team huddles together after its game against Colorado State at Johnson Gym on Thursday night. The Lobos lost to Colorado State 0-3.

Sports

UNM volleyball team swept by No. 6 Colorado State

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 17

New Mexico had some bright spots against No. 6 Colorado State, despite being swept.Freshman defensive specialist Stephanie Chavez wound up with 16 digs, the game-high. Chavez said she was exited at the opportunity to help her team out in a big match against CSU (19-1, 7-0 MW).

New Mexico wide receiver Chris Davis prepares for the ball during the Oct. 10 game against San Diego State. New Mexico will look to break through Air Force’s 3-4 defense when it travels to Colorado Springs, Colorado on Saturday to take on AFA at Falcon Stadium. The Lobos are 10-point underdogs against the Falcons.

Sports

Football: UNM hopes for a third road win

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 17

The similarities between New Mexico and Air Force begin and end with running the football.Both run the triple option offense and both rank among the top rushing offenses in the country. On the defensive side it’s a different story, as AFA has one of the better run defenses in the country, while the Lobos have one of the worst.UNM ranks No. 124, or second to last, among all Division I schools in run defense, giving up an average of nearly 287 yards per game. That’s good news for AFA, who have the second best running offense in the Mountain West, gaining 274 yards per contest.

New Mexico women’s basketball head coach Yvonne Sanchez, center, goes over plays with her team during Saturday’s practice. The Lobos were picked to finish ninth in the Mountain West preseason poll, following last year’s 11-19 finish.

Sports

Basketball: Chemistry key for Lobos

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 17

The New Mexico women’s basketball team is counting on its solid rapport to propel the unit through the season. The Lobos were picked to finish ninth (122 points) in the Mountain West preseason poll, following last year’s 11-19 finish. UNM is looking to build on its 6-12 conference record last season that featured a first-round exit in the Mountain West Tournament.Media members selected Colorado State to finish first in the MW after receiving 21 first-place votes and 276 points. Boise State was picked to finish second with 241 points and Wyoming was selected to place third with 235 points.

Lobo redshirt junior setter Hannah Johnson (2) keeps the ball in play during the game against Utah State on Oct. 2. The Lobos will play against Colorado State at Johnson Gym on Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Sports

Injury strikes Lobo setter before rivalry game

October 15

The New Mexico volleyball team must venture on, for the time being, despite losing a key position player in redshirt junior setter Hannah Johnson.Head coach Jeff Nelson said Johnson will not be jumping against No. 6 Colorado State (18-1 6-0 MW) due to an high ankle sprain. The setter will still see playing time, but not in the customary front row.

Lobo quarterback Cole Gautsche runs with the ball during the football game against the San Diego State Aztecs on Friday night.

Sports

At midseason, Lobos struggling to compile wins

October 15

The first half of the 2014 season for New Mexico has seen a team unable to play dependable football from game to game, from half to half, or even from quarter to quarter.A recurring issue with UNM (2-4, 0-2 Mountain West) is missed tackles, resulting in big plays for opposing offenses.

Sports

Lobos third in Mountain West media poll

Kyle Tomasi | October 15

Media members aren’t predicting a down year for the New Mexico men’s basketball team.Mountain West Conference officials released the men’s basketball MW Preseason Media Poll Tuesday afternoon, where the Lobos found themselves sitting in third place.

New Mexico guard Bryce Owens practices defensive drills on Saturday. The Lobos open up the season with an exhibition game against Eastern New Mexico in early November.

Sports

Women's basketball: Team will learn from its mistakes

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 13

ast year New Mexico couldn’t win tight games down the stretch, and head coach Yvonne Sanchez said doing so will be a stepping stone for the 2014 women’s basketball season. UNM has lost its last seven games that have been decided by six points or fewer. Sanchez said that was partly due to the immaturity of the team last year, but she expects the squad to learn from those mistakes.“A lot of those close games we just weren’t tough enough to finish. We were just too young,” said Sanchez, whose team opened practice last week. “I’ve learned a lot from that, and it starts with me.”

New Mexico defensive back Jadon Boatright hangs his head after the game against San Diego State at University Stadium on Friday. The Lobos fell 24-14 to the Aztecs.

Sports

Lobos fall to Aztecs after putting up a fight

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 13

Redshirt freshman quarterback Lamar Jordan tried to reignite New Mexico’s offense when he scrambled to his right and found sophomore halfback Dameon Gamblin downfield for a 20-yard gain and a new set of downs. Down 24-14 in the fourth quarter, it finally looked like the Lobos had some life with fewer than nine minutes to play.One problem: A holding penalty was called on the play, so instead of a 1st down, UNM faced 2nd and 22 from its 8-yard line.It was that kind of night. UNM’s offense couldn’t get anything going; the Lobos gained just 263 total yards of offense in a 24-14 loss to San Diego State at University Stadium on Friday night.

Sports

Oct. 13 Sports briefs

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 13

VolleyballThe New Mexico volleyball team lost its first two Mountain West matches of the season this weekend at San Diego State and UNLV.On Friday, the Aztecs beat the Lobos 3-2 (25-17, 15-25, 26-24, 22-25, 15-8).Outside hitter Chantale Riddle led the team with 17 kills and a .205 hitting percentage.

Sports

Football: Big runs frustrate Lobo defense

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 13

llowing big plays on the ground plagued New Mexico’s defense in the 24-14 loss to San Diego State on Friday night. Each SDSU touchdown came off of a run of 25 yards or more. Head coach Bob Davie said allowing the big runs are exhausting to his team.“It really takes the wind out of everybody’s sails,” Davie said. “It takes you to your knees, giving up big plays like that. It really does.”

New Mexico midfielder Niko Hansen attacks the ball during the game against Missouri State on Sunday. The Lobos defeated the Bears 2-0.

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Soccer: Lobos blow Bears away despite high winds

Isabel Gonzalez | October 13

Patience proved to be key for the 12th-ranked New Mexico men’s soccer team as it defeated the Missouri State Bears 2-0 in its last nonconference game Sunday night. This was the fourth straight win for the Lobos, who also won last week’s road game 2-0 against Florida Atlantic University.“We talked about the importance of this (four-game stretch), and we took care of business and won all four,” head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “I think that’s the mark of a quality team.”

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Lobos' mental toughness must remain, Davie says

October 10

New Mexico hasn’t always been able to roll with the punches, but in UNM’s 21-9 win over UTSA last Saturday, the team was able to bounce back from a 9-0 deficit to earn its second road win of the season.

New Mexico forward James Rogers fends off Florida International University players during Saturday’s game. The No. 12 Lobos find themselves in Boca Raton, Florida, tonight to face Florida Atlantic before heading back on their home field on Sunday to battle Missouri State.

Sports

Lobos continue to outshoot foes but fail to connect

Isabel Gonzalez | October 8

It’s benchmark time for the New Mexico men’s soccer team.With just seven games left in the regular season, head coach Jeremy Fishbein said the New Mexico men’s soccer team has the chance to prove its worth.

UNM sophomore outside hitter/middle blocker Cassie House spikes the ball during the game against Utah State at Johnson Gym on Thursday night. The Lobos will play at San Diego State Thursday night at 7 p.m.

Sports

Nelson fields a working volleyball rotation

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 8

Head coach Jeff Nelson has been shifting around his lineup all year in hopes to send a message to the UNM volleyball team to play better.Before conference play, Cassie House had a low .100 hitting percentage that Nelson said was uncharacteristic of the second-year outside hitter.

New Mexico running back Crusoe Gongbay charges down the field on Sept. 26 during the Fresno State game. Gongbay suffered a severe foot injury against UTSA and might be out for the rest of the season.

Sports

After victory, Davie warns against overconfidence

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 8

Apparently Bob Davie is a big believer in momentum.The head coach said New Mexico’s 21-9 win over UTSA was one of the biggest wins for the program since he took over.

New Mexico defender Chris Gurule attempts to keep the ball in the Lobos’ possession during the game against Florida International on Saturday. The Lobos defeated the Panthers 2-0.

Sports

Soccer: Lobos beat FIU in open-and-shut game

Isabel Gonzalez | October 6

The UNM men’s soccer team went to extremes for its 2-0 win against Florida International University on Saturday night. The 15th-ranked Lobos (7-2-1, 1-1-0) got on the scoreboard just 43 seconds into the match, and finished the night with a goal at only 41 seconds remaining.Sophomore forward Niko Hansen put the Lobos in the early lead after receiving a long through ball from redshirt sophomore defender Chris Gurule. This was the second straight match in which UNM has gotten off to a quick start, with the Lobos’ Wednesday-night lead coming only 16 seconds into the game.

Lobo outside hitter Julia Warren falls after attempting to keep the ball in play during Thursday night’s volleyball game against Utah State at Johnson Gym. The Lobos played against Boise State on Saturday afternoon and won 3-0.

Sports

Volleyball: UNM sweeps Boise State, starts 4-0 in conference play

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 6

The New Mexico volleyball team’s new rotation prevailed in a 3-0 sweep over Boise State, leaving the Lobos undefeated in Mountain West play. Head coach Jeff Nelson made changes to his squad’s rotation, handing the libero duties over to sophomore Maddie Mayfield. Nelson said redshirt freshman Ashley Kelsey’s difficult time on the court warranted the switch.“I don’t know if it’s permanent, but we felt like we needed something different,” Nelson said. “Ashley Kelsey had struggled the past couple of matches and we felt like we needed to spin the wheels.”