Sports - The Daily Lobo

New Mexico guard Arthur Edwards goes up for a dunk during the Lobo Howl on Oct. 17. UNM plays its first exhibition game at The Pit this Saturday against Western New Mexico.

Sports

Lobos look forward to exhibition test

Kyle Tomasi | October 31

In an offseason full of Lobos getting drafted to play professionally, coaching staff changes and nine new recruits, the New Mexico men’s basketball programs gets to showcase the new talent Saturday night at The Pit. The Lobos host Western New Mexico in the first exhibition game of the 2014-15 season, and second-year head coach Craig Neal said the team is coming together well and is finally finding their rhythm, even with the nine new faces on the roster.

Three New Mexico defensive linemen tackle San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey during the Oct. 10 game. The Lobos, who have struggled to win Mountain West games in recent years, resumes conference play Saturday at UNLV.

Sports

MW games a tough task for Lobos

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 31

The Mountain West has proven to be a tough run for New Mexico during Bob Davie’s tenure. In 19 games against the conference, UNM is 2-17 (.105 winning percentage), including 0-3 this season, and has been outscored by an average of eight points per game. UNM has been outscored by 169 points in its 17 losses.

New Mexico right side hitter Chantale Riddle, 3, and outside hitter Eastyn Baleto bump the ball together back toward San Jose State’s side on Saturday at Johnson Gym. The Lobos’ next home game is on Nov. 6 at Johnson Gym against UNLV.

Sports

Volleyball: UNM all fired up for a win

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 27

A slow start didn’t prevent Jeff Nelson from obtaining his 150th win as head coach for the New Mexico volleyball team. UNM (14-9, 6-4 MW) outhit San Jose State (3-19, 0-9 MW) in every single match. However, the Lobos couldn’t find a way to grab a lead for the entire first set, dropping the match 25-23. The Lobos rebounded and went on to win the game 3-1.“In the first game we didn’t really come out strong,” sophomore outside hitter Cassie House said. “We all got our priorities together and made sure everyone was focused on the game plan and just pulled it together.”

New Mexico midfielder Katie Hinman, right, and Wyoming midfielder Kasey Curtis battle for possession of the ball during the game on Sunday at the Lobo Soccer Complex. The Lobos defeated the cowgirls 2-1, scoring both of their goals in the second half of the game.

Sports

Women's soccer: Late-game goal a winning memory

Kyle Tomasi | October 27

A freshman midfielder ensured that her senior teammates would have a final home game they’ll never forget. Claire Lynch scored the game-winner in the 86th minute Sunday to give the Lobos a 2-1 Senior Day win over Wyoming.“I can’t imagine anything better. We went down, but our team physically didn’t go down mentally,” senior midfielder Alexis Leyba said. “To score in the last five minutes of the game is unreal and I will never, ever forget that.”

New Mexico midfielder Niko Hansen dribbles the ball downfield against Old Dominion on Saturday night at the Lobo Soccer Complex. The Lobos won 4-0.

Sports

Men's soccer: Lobos end Monarchs' three-game streak

Isabel Gonzalez | October 27

The New Mexico men’s soccer team played one of its best games of the season on Saturday night, shutting out the Old Dominion Monarchs 4-0. The Lobos, who wore pink as part of their “Lobos Love Pink” cancer-awareness promotion, were coming off a painful 0-1 loss against Kentucky. Old Dominion, on the other hand, came in on a three-game winning streak.But that did not shake UNM’s confidence. Still disappointed from last week’s performance, the Lobos pulled themselves together to turn things around at the UNM Soccer Complex.

New Mexico forward James Rogers (7) kicks the ball away from Missouri State midfielder Parker Maher during the Oct. 12 game. New Mexico will play Old Dominion at 7 p.m. on Saturday at the UNM Soccer Complex.

Sports

Lobos host Monarchs this weekend

Isabel Gonzalez | October 24

The New Mexico men’s soccer team has some ground to make up in the Conference USA standings.UNM (9-3-1, 2-2-0 CUSA) sits in sixth place and will get an opportunity to move up when its hosts fourth-place Old Dominion (7-4-1, 2-1-1) on Saturday at the UNM Soccer Complex.

New Mexico midfielder Ruth Bruciaga aims for the goal on Oct. 3 against Air Force at the UNM Soccer Complex. New Mexico will play again against Colorado State at 7 p.m. tonight.

Sports

Lobos have two weeks left before MW tourney

October 24

With the Mountain West Conference Tournament less than two weeks away, the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team hopes to move up in the conference standings.After a 2-0 loss on Sunday against the Utah State Aggies, the Lobos dropped to fifth place in the current conference standings — two spots lower than last week’s rankings.

Lobo right side hitter Chantale Riddle dives to the save the ball on Oct. 23 against Nevada. The Lobos won 3-1, breaking the four game losing streak.

Sports

Volleyball team finishes Nevada in four sets

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 24

Despite a rocky second set, the New Mexico volleyball team maintain a perfect record against Nevada.A handful of UNM’s sororities and fraternities came out to support the New Mexico volleyball team, which head coach Jeff Nelson said added a lot of flare to his squad at the start of the match.“Greek night was really great,” Nelson said.

New Mexico defensive specialist Stephanie Chavez bumps the ball during the game against New Mexico State on Monday night. The Lobos swept the Aggies 3-0, snapping a four-match losing streak.

Sports

Lobos break losing skid

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 22

Leaving past performances in the rear view mirror is what the New Mexico volleyball team hopes will get it back on track.In a 3-0 sweep against New Mexico State (11-8, 5-2 WAC), the Lobos snapped a four-match losing streak with one of their better offensive performances of the season, hitting above .225 in each of the three sets.

UNM quarterback Cole Gautsche (8) attempts to rush past the San Diego State Aztecs at University Stadium on Friday, Oct. 10. Gautsche and Lamar Jordan, another Lobo quarterback, have spent the last three games splitting playing time on the field.

Sports

Football games crippled by inconsistency

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 22

Don’t count on New Mexico’s quarterback situation changing much after its bye week.Signal-callers Cole Gautsche and Lamar Jordan have split most of the playing time the past three games and that trend will likely continue. Gautsche has started all three contests but has been pulled for Jordan at some point during each game.

Sports

Football: Last -minute plays not enough to top Falcons

Thomas Romero-Salas | October 20

Lamar Jordan didn’t display any late-game magic against Air Force. The freshman quarterback led New Mexico on its final three drives, but came away with zero points as the Lobos lost 35-31 to the Falcons in Colorado Springs on Saturday.UNM’s last three possessions amounted to just 26 yards on 11 plays.

Lobo redshirt senior right-side hitter Chantale Riddle (3) and freshman defensive specialist Stephanie Chavez (14) recover after both players fail to keep the ball in play during the game against Wyoming at Johnson Gym on Saturday afternoon. The Lobos lost to Wyoming 1-3, winning only one set of four.

Sports

Volleyball: Team's problems a mystery to coach, players

Liam Cary-Eaves | October 20

Head coach Jeff Nelson is searching for solutions to the New Mexico volleyball team’s recent struggles. UNM (11-9, 4-4 Mountain West) is on a four-match losing streak, and the unit’s recently faltering play is baffling Nelson.“I don’t really have answers right now,” Nelson said following a 3-1 loss to Wyoming (16-5, 5-3 MW) on Saturday.

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.