Sports

Sports

Men's Basketball: Lobos lose charity exhibition game to BYU

Matthew Narvaiz | October 28

Despite strong defensive efforts from the New Mexico men’s basketball team, a late foul call on a 3-point attempt all but hammered the nail into the Lobos’ coffin, as they lost Friday’s exhibition game against Brigham Young , 79-73. In the closing seconds of the game, Lobo forward Vladimir Pinchuk picked up a foul on a BYU 3-pointer. The Cougars capitalized by making all three free throw attempts, and after a free throw by Antino Jackson brought the game within four points for the Lobos, the Cougars added two more free throws to close out their victory in Albuquerque, New Mexico in front of a crowd of 4,902. Despite the loss, the Lobos still showed signs of promise, especially on the defensive end. A mix of presses, man-to-man and traps forced 23 BYU turnovers in total.

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Sports

Baseball: Birmingham says recently released 2018 schedule may be hardest in nation

Matthew Narvaiz | October 26

With baseball season still off in the distance, the University of New Mexico baseball team has released its 2018 season schedule to the general public. And its schedule, some might say, is one of the hardest in the U.S. At least that’s what head coach Ray Birmingham said. “The Lobo baseball schedule is one of the hardest — if not the hardest — in the country,” Birmingham said in a UNM press release. “We plan on with this schedule to win conference and to play in regionals.”

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Sports

Men's Soccer: After double overtime, two red cards, Lobos draw to Denver

Ajinkya Patil | October 26

Despite having most of the possession and dominating the game from start to finish, the Lobos drew to the Denver Pioneers in a scoreless match, which went into double overtime and saw two red cards, one to each of team. The game was a classic example of showing that it does not matter how long a team has the ball, what matters is what it does when it has it. Despite their solid defense, the Lobos lacked creativity and urgency to score the game-winning goal. The Lobos are now 8-4-3 overall and 3-2-1 in C-USA. For the Pioneers, this draw takes them to 8-6-1 overall and also keeps them undefeated in their last three games. The streak is also the Pioneers’ best for this season.

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Sports

Cross Country: UNM welcomes talented, nationally ranked field as it hosts MW Championships

Robert Maler and Tyrell Natewa | October 26

The New Mexico cross country teams return to their home track as New Mexico hosts the upcoming Mountain West Championships on Friday at the UNM North Golf Course. UNM has had plenty of success competing in the conference championships over the years. While the men had its consecutive Mountain West Championship streak snapped at six a couple of years ago, the women are still riding an active streak of nine straight conference titles. The women’s team, which is ranked No. 2 in the country, could be poised to protect that crown. Sophomore sensation Ednah Kurgat has posted back-to-back individual wins at the Joe Piane Notre Dame Invitational, followed by another top performance at the Nuttycombe Wisconsin Invitational.

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Sports

Men's Soccer: UNM looks to rebound following shutout loss, as it hosts Denver

Ajinkya Patil | October 25

Returning home from a 4-0 defeat against Florida International University, the Lobos will be eager to return to winning ways when they face Denver University for the “Lobos Love Pink” game on Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. Denver competed earlier this season in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the Grange and Ashwill Invitational tournament, however, neither side played against each other. The Pioneers played two games in this tournament and in both those games, they were outshut by their opponent. The Pioneers have been here and seen the pitch, so they should know what to expect heading into the game. The Pioneers are undefeated in the Summit League, but have lost six games this season. The Pioneers are 5-2-0 when at home and are 3-2-0 when playing away. Seeing which team posts the first goal could be crucial, especially for Denver, since it is 8-1-0 this season after netting the first goal.

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Sports

Women’s Soccer: Lobos qualify for conference tournament, look to hold on to second seed

Matthieu Cartron | October 25

After beating Wyoming 3-2 in Laramie, Wyoming, on Sunday, the Lobos (12-6, 7-3 MW) guaranteed themselves a place in the Mountain West Conference Tournament. The Lobos narrowly missed out on the conference tournament last year—in part because of a 3-0 home loss to Wyoming. In the build up to the game on Sunday, UNM head coach Heather Dyche said her team would be looking to avenge themselves for last season’s loss. Heading into the game, Wyoming (7-9-2, 3-6-1 MW) was looking to keep their conference tournament hopes alive. Two wins in their final two games would have brought the Cowgirls up to 18 points—potentially enough to seal conference qualification. This was a must-win game for Wyoming.

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Sports

Men's Soccer: Lobos' unbeaten streak ends with 4-0 loss to Florida International

Ajinkya Patil | October 23

Despite a solid showing, the Lobos ended their six-game undefeated streak with a 4-0 road loss against Florida International University on Saturday. The loss denoted UNM's most lop-sided defeat of the season and dropped the Lobos to an overall record of 8-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in C-USA. A contest between two of the top four teams in Conference USA ended with the Lobos losing and FIU carrying forward its own unbeaten streak. The Panthers (10-0-3, 5-0-1 C-USA) are unbeaten so far this season in 13 games, including wins in each of their last seven matches.

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Sports

Hockey: UNM still undefeated heading into a bye week

Alanie Rael | October 23

The second game match up between the UNM Lobo Hockey team against the UCCS Mountain Lions on Saturday was a game full of aggression and fierce competition. After two ejections and heated fights between the players, the Lobos came out on top defeating the Mountain Lions by a final score of 11-6, keeping their undefeated start to the season in tact to improve to an 8-0 record. The game started with high energy, as the Mountain Lions looked to redeem themselves and avenge the 7-4 loss suffered at the hands of the Lobos on Friday.

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Sports

Volleyball: Lobos conclude a week without wins

Aaron Cowan | October 22

Despite strong performances from individual players and heartbreakingly-close scores, the Lobo volleyball team went winless last week, falling to New Mexico State on the road and to Wyoming and Colorado State at home. The Lobos (11-2, 3-7 MW) started the week with an away game on Monday, where they faced their Rio Grande Rival, New Mexico State University, but things quickly went awry, and they found themselves shut out in three straight sets. The final scores put the Aggies in line for the win, 25-18, 25-16 and 28-26, on their home turf in the Pan American Center.

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Culture

Skydivers push thrills to the limit

Sherri Barth | October 22

Think jumping from an airplane sounds exciting? Skydiving enthusiasts have found a different launchpad that takes their flight to new heights and exhilarating freefalls. “You get that stomach-in-your-heart feeling” from jumping off a hot air balloon, according to skydiver Jake Cordova of Skydive New Mexico. Parachuting from a hot air balloon was first introduced as a means of safety, when in 1785 Jena-Pierre Blanchard tested this method of skydiving using a dog. Blanchard would soon have no choice but to put himself in a parachute and jump out of his own hot air balloon when it ruptured in 1793, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Skydivers have been getting a thrill from jumping, then parachuting from a hot air balloon at altitudes that can equal that of jumping out of airplanes. Cordova said jumping off a hot air balloon, or static jumps, is similar to base jumping.

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News

Men's Basketball: UNM to play for charity to hurricane victims

Matthew Narvaiz | October 22

The Lobo men’s basketball team will face off against Brigham Young University on Friday, Oct. 27, for an exhibition match that will help raise money for Hurricane Harvey victims in Houston, according to a University of a New Mexico press release. Multiple coaches and teams were trying to get an exhibition game set up, according to head coach Paul Weir. BYU matched up best with New Mexico from a scheduling standpoint, and the exhibition match was made official last week. “To be totally honest, I woke up — and I forget what morning it was — and I had several text messages from coaches that started reaching out to each other,” Weir said on how the exhibition came into fruition. “This probably would’ve been Monday or Tuesday of this week, and coaches across the country started realizing we can play an extra game.”

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Sports

Hockey: UNM wins again to protect unblemished record

Alanie Rael | October 21

The undefeated Lobo hockey team extended its winning streak to seven after a 7-4 win over University of Colorado Colorado Springs on Friday night. The Lobos (7-0) came on to the ice as a team seemingly ready to protect their unblemished record on the 2017 season against the Mountain Lions. In the first period, the University of New Mexico put two goals on the scoreboard with a strong offensive attack to open the game. Right wing Chase Shanks of UNM had the first goal of the game, which was assisted by Logan Colyer.

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Sports

Men's Soccer: Unbeaten in their last six games, Lobos prepare for FIU

Cameron Goeldner and Ajinkya Patil | October 21

Unbeaten in their last six games, the University of New Mexico (8-3-1, 3-1-1 C-USA) will be on road, preparing to face Florida International University (9-0-3, 4-0-1 Pac-12) in Miami on Oct.21 at the FIU Soccer Stadium. FIU is the top team in Conference USA standing and is undefeated in this season. In their last game, the Lobos drew 1-1 against UCLA in a match that went into double overtime. UNM junior Aaron Herrera scored a wonder goal from the half-line, his fifth goal of the season, giving him five goals and five assists on the season, making him the team leader in both categories. UNM’s redshirt sophomore Devin Boyce is tied in assists with Herrera. FIU are ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring offense. FIU head coach Kevin Nylen is having a stellar first season — he was promoted from first assistant to head after the conclusion of the 2016 season, and the Panthers are unbeaten in their last 12 games.

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Sports

Football: Lobos play tough but fall to Rams 27-24

Robert Maler | October 21

The first final drive of the game ended just as the opening drive did — with the Lobo football team trying to execute on fourth down. Unfortunately for New Mexico, (3-4, 1-3 MW) neither attempt was fruitful. In the latter case, freshman quarterback Tevake Tuioti was sacked before he was unable to send up one last desperation heave, and Colorado State walked away with a 27-24 victory. The Rams (6-2, 4-0 MW) got a big stop on UNM’s opening drive after the Lobos elected to go for it on 4th and 3 instead of attempting what would’ve been a 49-yard field goal.

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Sports

Women’s Soccer: Lobos remain second in conference

Matthieu Cartron | October 21

The Lobos maintained their spot in second place in the Mountain West Conference standings after beating CSU 4-2 on Friday night at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos now have 18 points — four points behind leaders San Jose State. The Lobos had the better of the early chances, and after 20 minutes, they broke the deadlock. Senior midfielder Quincy Slora lofted a ball into the penalty area from the left side of CSU’s defense. The ball found unmarked senior forward Claire Lynch, who guided the ball with her head into the bottom left corner of the goal.

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Sports

Women's Basketball: Bradbury has high hopes for this season's roster

Matthew Narvaiz | October 20

For Lobo women’s basketball head coach Mike Bradbury, this year’s team has the talent level to compete with the best of the best in the Mountain West. Notable returnee and current senior Cherise Beynon led the Lobos in scoring last season at 15.8 points per game and was, in most eyes, the face of the team. Spot-up shooters like Alex Lapeyrolerie, who shot 30.2 percent from beyond the arc last season, will also be back. But what has Bradbury — who is now in his second year heading New Mexico — excited is some of the new talent he’s acquired, most notably his freshmen acquisitions.

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Sports

Women’s Soccer: Lobos look to pick up points against Colorado State and Wyoming

Mathieu Cartron | October 20

As their conference season reaches the finish line, the University of New Mexico (10-6, 5-3 MW) is in second place in the conference standings, will take on Colorado State at home and then the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming. The Lobos are second in the conference standings with 15 points — four points behind leader, San Jose State. The top six teams in the table qualify for the conference tournament, and the first and second seeds receive a bye to the semifinals. Despite sitting in second place, the Lobos are only three points above sixth place UNLV. The standings are tight this year, and with three games left to play, much could still change.

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Sports

Wrestling: Local wrestling company nears its 10th year

Robert Maler | October 18

Destiny Wrestling Organization, a wrestling company started by a handful of friends out of high school, is on the cusp of its 10-year anniversary and about to host its biggest show of the year. Many independent wrestling companies fade out within a few years of startup. Perhaps some of the potential entrepreneurs struggle with the cost of producing a show, fulfilling state requirements or eventually lose the interest of fans and are unable to fill the venue. But a few government contractors, a carpenter, a restaurant worker and a structural engineer found a way to defy the odds and stay viable. Despite some setbacks along the way, the company is ready for “Day of Destiny X” to take place on Saturday, Oct. 21.

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Sports

Football: New Mexico looks to buck trend against rival Colorado State

Robert Maler | October 18

UNM football suffered a shutout at the hands of Fresno State over the weekend and things could be even more difficult as the team prepares to host Colorado State on a short week. New Mexico (3-3, 1-2 MW) had the same overall record at this point in the season last year—coming off an ugly 49-21 home loss to Boise State. The team responded to win five straight games to right the ship and salvage the season. But it was Colorado State that put an abrupt end to that win streak—a team that has won the last seven meetings over the Lobos. And although UNM gets to play the game at Dreamstyle Stadium this time around—that doesn’t mean things will be easy.

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Sports

Men's soccer: Lobos prepare for big home match against UCLA

Cameron Goeldner and Ajinkya Patil | October 18

The 24th ranked University of New Mexico men’s soccer team (8-3-1, 3-1-1 C-USA) will take on University of California at Los Angeles Bruins (6-5-0, 3-2-0 Pac-12) on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos defeated the University of Alabama at Birmingham by a score of 2-0 in their last game. The win over UAB extended the Lobos’ winning streak to four and they are now unbeaten in their last five games. The UCLA Bruins are coming off an overtime victory over San Diego State. UCLA freshman Eric Iloski scored his first career goal in the fifth minute of overtime helping the Bruins to a 1-0 victory. The victory over San Diego State was the Bruins’ second straight overtime win and extended their winning run to three. UCLA’s main man is senior forward Brian Iloski, who leads the team with five goals. Three out of those five goals have been game winners. Iloski is ranked top-100 in the NCAA in game-winning goals (20th) and goals per game (96th).