Sports - The Daily Lobo

Sports

Lobos earn blowout victory against Mavericks

Wyatt S. Padilla | November 10

The Lobos put on a display of defense that led the Lobos to a blowout victory of 74-56 at The Pit on Saturday, Nov. 8, when the University of New Mexico men’s basketball team hosted the University of Texas at Arlington Mavericks. Forward Tomislav Buljan led the Lobos in scoring, as the freshman had 17 points, shooting six of eight on the night, drawing six fouls and converting five of seven at the free-throw line. Lobos guard Deyton Albury also chipped in 15 points and helped lead the defensive front, creating three steals while being a pest for the Mavericks. Last year, the Lobos were one of the fastest-paced teams in the country. This year, the defense has led the way for the team two games into the season, with the Lobos’ offense seeming a bit disjointed at times.

Sports

United move on to Conference Semifinals

John P. Hefti | November 8

New Mexico United faced off against San Antonio FC at Isotopes Park, with the Kings of Chaos ending San Antonio’s season with a 2-0 score in their USL Conference Quarter Finals match on Saturday, Nov. 1st. Numerous Albuquerque public figures showed up to show their support for United, such as former Lobo power forward and NBA veteran Kenny Thomas, incumbent Mayor Tim Keller, and former UFC fighters Holly Holm and Carlos Condit. United goalkeeper Kris Shakes continued to illustrate how crucial his performances have been to the recent success of the Black and Gold, racking up four saves, earning himself a shutout.

Sports

Lobos coast to a win against East Texas A&M

Rodney Prunty | November 7

The University of New Mexico Lobos men's basketball team took care of business on Wednesday, Nov. 5 when they faced off against the East Texas A&M University Lions. The Lobos were in the driver's seat from the very beginning, making sure there was no chance for the Lions to even make it a game. Combine that with a terrible performance by East Texas A&M, and the Lobos eased to a 76-54 victory. This win marks the first as a Lobo for Head Coach Eric Olen, who was hired by UNM back in March of this year after the departure of former Head Coach Richard Pitino.

Sports

Lobos struggles in conference play continue after loss to UNLV

Michael Padilla | November 7

The University of New Mexico Lobos volleyball team has been on the struggle bus of conference play, and that seems to remain the case after another loss to the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels on Thursday, Nov. 6. The Lobos lost to the Rebels already midway through October, and missed their chance to avenge the earlier loss, suffering a three set defeat. The Lobos started the night with a tight first set loss ending 25-20. After a promising start in the second set with both teams exchanging points at net, the Rebels started to pull away from New Mexico, culminating in a second set loss for the Lobos 25-17.

Sports

Defense and depth lead UNM to beat NAU

Wyatt S. Padilla | November 7

On Monday, Nov. 3, the University of New Mexico women’s basketball team hosted the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks in its season opener, showcasing shooting and depth in a 71-59 win. Cacia Antonio, who started in the first exhibition game and scored 10 points in the second game, did not play due to being ineligible for the first three regular-season games due to participation on a club team during the COVID-19 pandemic while in Angola. The Lobos put the Lumberjacks to the test, playing at a high tempo on both ends of the ball. Offensively, the Lobos were able to get production from ten of the 12 rostered players.

Opinion

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week

Alex Joe | November 7

There are winners and there are losers. Not every loser is the same, as these players' performances were key in costing their teams this week. These players are favorably known as bobbleheads. “You can’t win ‘‘em all” is a phrase these pro sports players definitely had to hear after some terrible performances this week. Here are the players whose play this week earned them the title of bobblehead.

Sports

Lobos are bowl bound after defeating UNLV

Rodney Prunty | November 3

For the first time since 2016, the University of New Mexico Lobo football team earned bowl game eligibility. This comes after the Lobos went on the road and defeated the University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels 40-35 on Saturday, Nov. 1. There was not much action early in the first quarter, but things started to pick up towards the quarter’s end. After the Lobo defense was able to force a turnover on downs, New Mexico’s offense was able to put the first points of the game on the board. UNM strung together a drive that ended when Lobo quarterback Jack Layne found running back Damon Bankston open in the endzone for a 30-yard touchdown pass.

Sports

Lobos sweep Nevada in Pink Game

Austin Bishop | November 3

The University of New Mexico Lobos volleyball team painted the court pink and kept energy high on Wednesday, Oct. 29, sweeping the University of Nevada Wolf Pack 3-0 in the annual Pink Game match. The Lobos dominated the first two sets before narrowly coming away with a win against Nevada in a tighter third set. In the first set, the Lobos started off strong with a four-point lead, causing Nevada to stay on their heels. The Wolf Pack attempted to fight back, however the Lobos continued increasing the momentum in their favor. The first set concluded quickly, with the Lobos winning 25-14.

Sports

Lobos cruise to preseason win over Northern Arizona Lumberjacks

Marley Herndon | November 3

After dropping their first preseason game against Washington State University on the road, the University of New Mexico Lobos returned to The Pit for their first home appearance of the year. Though they showed preseason jitters and had a few sloppy plays, the Lobos took control early and cruised to a 64-54 win over the Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks. On Thursday, Oct. 30, the Lobos got off to a hot start thanks to the night’s star, guard and forward Antonio Chol, who broke the ice with an early three-pointer and didn’t let up as he scored all nine of the game’s first points.

Sports

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week

Alex Joe | October 31

There are winners and there are losers. Not every loser is the same, as these players' performances were key in costing their teams this week. These players are favorabily known as bobbleheads. “You’ll get 'em next time” is a phrase these pro sports players definitely had to hear after some terrible performances this week. Here are the players whose play this week earned them the title of bobblehead.

Sports

A new ice age in UNM women's sports

Elizabeth Bolke | October 31

This past year, women’s ice hockey has been brought to the University of New Mexico. The UNM Lobo women’s ice hockey team had its first home-opening series on Oct. 25 and 26, taking on the New Mexico Mustangs, based in Rio Rancho. The Lobos finished with a strong 7-2 win on Oct. 25. Lobo Head Coach Jarrod Ronquillo, expressed his pride in the players’ performance. “I think they all left everything they had on the ice. I’m proud of them,” Ronquillo said.

Sports

Lobos Take Down Adams State 81-33

Wyatt S. Padilla | October 27

The University of New Mexico Women’s Basketball team came out hot in The Pit on Wednesday, Oct. 22, where the team hosted the Division II Adams State University Grizzlies in the squad’s first of two exhibition games they will play. UNM started junior guard Destinee Hooks, graduate guard Alyssa Hargrove, junior transfer guard Cacia Antonio, sophomore guard Joana Magalhães and redshirt senior center Clarissa Craig. This could be the first indication of who will start for the team after UNM lost two key starters from last year, Vianè Cumber and Hulda Joaquim.

Sports

Lobo soccer shut out Wyoming 1-0

Wyatt S. Padilla | October 27

The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team was coming off a tough week, with a draw and a loss, but bounced back this week getting back in the win column on Thursday, Oct. 23, when the team faced the University of Wyoming Cowgirls during Senior Night, handing the Cowgirls a shutout loss, winning 1-0. Two seniors were honored at the game: forwards Alejandra Puerto and Mercedes Morris were the focus of the senior celebration. Puerto was able to put the Lobos on top early in the game, as she connected with the net not even five minutes into the match.

Sports

New Mexico United defeats Rhode Island

John P. Hefti | October 27

New Mexico United took on Rhode Island FC at Isotopes Park, with the black and yellow emerging victorious with a 2-1 score in their final matchup of the regular season on Friday, Oct. 24. United goalkeeper Kris Shakes acted as a brick wall against Rhode Island’s unrelenting offense, tallying a total of five saves. Along with celebrating their “Black-Out Night,” United also honored the career of forward Daniel Bruce, who recently announced his retirement from professional soccer due to injuries, having been a member of United since its inaugural season in 2019. As a way of toasting the occasion, New Mexico United distributed hundreds of signs to fans, displaying Bruce’s last name, signature and jersey number.

Sports

UNM earns a decisive 33-14 win over Utah State

Rodney Prunty | October 27

A familiar face returned to the University Stadium sidelines on Saturday, Oct. 26, when the University of New Mexico Lobos football team took on the Utah State University Aggies. This face was none other than former Lobo Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall, who was hired in December 2023, but after just one season with the Lobos he left and headed to Logan, Utah, to become the head coach of the Aggies. Mendenhall’s departure left a bad taste in fans’ mouths, leading to this game being one of the most anticipated for the Lobos this year. The Lobos came in laser-focused and did not disappoint as they picked apart Utah State, sending Mendenhall’s Aggies back to Utah with a 33-14 loss, and fans home with the sweet feeling of revenge.

Sports

UNM opens study to modernize University Stadium

Wyatt S. Padilla | October 27

The University of New Mexico announced on Oct. 2 that it would be opening a Feasibility and Development Plan Study, which is expected to aid in developing the South Campus area, as well as bringing on a strategy to modernize University Stadium. The announcement comes on the heels of UNM selling out University Stadium for their win over the New Mexico State Aggies on Sept. 27. The stadium originally opened in 1960, and recent upgrades have included a new video board and a currently under construction team room.This new study hopes to provide the University with the means to assess University Stadium from a structural standpoint to help determine the condition of the property as a whole, along with construction estimates and renderings for the University to have phasing options for the improvements.

Opinion

OPINION: Bobbleheads of the week: MLB Postseason

Marley Herndon | October 24

Where there are winners, there are losers; however, not all losers are created equal, as some teams feature players who single-handedly cost them the game. These players are favorably called bobbleheads. During last year’s World Series, sportscaster Joe Davis said, “You deliver this time of year, you can rewrite your whole story, as long as you’ve got the bat in your hands,” a statement which rings as true as its opposite. You can just as easily rewrite that story by not delivering this time of year, as long as you’ve got the bat or ball in your hands. Since it’s once again that time of year, as the World Series is set to be a showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays — with game one on Friday, Oct. 24 — there’s no better time to highlight the bobbleheads who got us here.

Sports

New Mexico United Draws against Oakland Roots SC

John P. Hefti | October 23

On Sunday, Oct. 19, New Mexico United faced off against the Oakland Roots at Isotopes Park, with a nail-biter of a match ending in a 3-3 draw. The most notable highlight from Sunday’s matchup included a solid defensive performance from goalkeeper Kris Shakes, who tallied a total of five saves. The Black and Yellow struck first and early, with forward Mukwelle Akale sneaking one past at the 12-minute mark. Oakland would retaliate a mere three minutes later, with forward Peter Wilson scoring, knotting it up at 1-1. At the 19-minute mark, United would regain the lead, aided by an own-goal from Roots defender Neveal Hackshaw, followed by a missile of a penalty kick from defender Talen Maples.

Sports

Lobo soccer draws with Utah State, lose to Boise

Wyatt S. Padilla | October 20

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.

Sports

Lobos hold off Nevada for homecoming game; send Wolf Pack packing without a dance

Alex Joe | October 20

The University of New Mexico Lobos returned to University Stadium for their homecoming game against the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, after back to back losses to conference opponents on the road. This time, the Lobos narrowly snatched victory from the Wolf Pack, winning 24-22 on Saturday, Oct. 18. The Lobos started hot out of the gate scoring their first opening drive points of the season, with a 16-play, 75-yard drive in the first quarter and ended with a two-yard touchdown by running back D.J. Mckinney, giving the Lobos an early 7-0 lead.