Sports

Sports

NM State Fair gives professional cowboys chance to flaunt their skills

Sherri Barth | September 18

Professional rodeo bareback rider Tim O’Connell wants to be the best ever. “I think I’m an adrenaline junkie," O'Connell said on why he participates in rodeo competitions. "Every time I get on, it’s for a world title, every horse that I get on is another opportunity to get another gold buckle. My goal in rodeo is to be a six-time world champion.” O’Connell is the defending Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association World Bareback Riding Champion 2017. A native Iowan, 25-year-old O’Connell’s PRCA career earnings are a reported $771,272, according to the PRCA website. O’Connell said he’s been bareback riding since he was 18, and riding professionally since 2013. He said his whole family is involved in rodeo. O’Connell placed 2nd in Bareback Riding at the 2017 New Mexico State Fair Rodeo with earnings of $3,513.

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Sports

Men’s Soccer: Kentucky ends Lobos’ undefeated streak at home

Ajinkya Patil | September 17

The Lobos were on a four-match win streak before they faced Kentucky on Saturday in Albuquerque. But dominating possession, overall shots, shots on target, corner kick and other key areas of the match still weren’t enough to avoid the loss by a goal against the Wildcats. The Lobos played their first match of the 2017 Conference-USA schedule on Saturday, which also marked the second straight season that UNM has opened conference play against Kentucky. Starting in their usual 4-4-2 formation, UNM senior Sam Gleadle and freshman Alex Vedamanikam led the attack for the Lobos.

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Sports

Women’s Soccer: Hix scores twice as Lobos ease past Lumberjacks

Matthieu Cartron | September 17

In their first seven games of the season, including the exhibition match with CSU-Pueblo, UNM scored a combined seven goals. And in their last two games, they equaled that tally. The Lobos (5-3) beat the University of Houston (4-3-1) on Friday night in a fixture that saw both teams generate numerous opportunities. In previous games, the Lobos struggled to convert their opportunities. The Lobos were not only more clinical against Houston and NAU on Sunday afternoon — they were more ruthless. The first ten minutes of the game saw both sides create a few half-chances, but UNM snatched the momentum in the 27th minute when junior midfielder Jennifer Muñoz side-volleyed into the left corner of the goal from a UNM long throw-in.

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Sports

Football: Week 3 analysis on Lobos 28-14 loss at Boise State

Robert Maler | September 17

New Mexico football had some good things show up in the box score — more yardage, more first down, winning the time of possession battle — but lost the game and its starting quarterback on the way to a 28-14 loss. The Lobos fell behind 7-0 after an early turnover and, although they briefly tied the game in the second quarter, it felt like UNM was playing catch-up for the rest of the game following the opening drive. Head coach Bob Davie has repeatedly said how small the margin for error is for most teams, including the Lobos, to win football games. And being on the wrong end of some key plays may have been the difference on Thursday, especially after UNM lost its starting quarterback just before the half. Here is how the offense, defense and special teams fared in week three.

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Sports

Women's Volleyball: UNM Beats Youngstown, Tennessee Tech, but falls to Toledo Rockets

Aaron Cowan | September 17

The University of New Mexico's volleyball team has consistently won two out of every three tournament games every week for the past month. That trend continued at the Blue/Gold Invitational in Toledo, Ohio where the Lobos beat Youngstown State and Tennessee Tech but dropped a match to the Toledo Rockets, putting their record at 8-4 for the regular season. UNM started strong in the morning game at the Blue/Gold Invitational against Youngstown State University — a team they faced and beat just two weeks earlier — at the Glory Road Invitation in El Paso, Texas. The results were virtually identical, with UNM posting a three-set sweep against the Penguins 25-21, 25-19 and 25-18 in the Savage Arena. On offense, Mariessa Carrasco led with 10 putaways, followed by Lauren Twitty with nine kills. Victoria Spragg knocked in eight more kills, while Yasmin Tan and Ashley Kelsey each contributed six. Hailey Rubino, who had lead the team to victory two weeks earlier, was out due to injury, so Kelsey, who usually plays Libero, stepped forward into a front row role.

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Sports

Women’s Soccer: Lobos edge Houston in thriller

Matthieu Cartron | September 17

Solid at the back and exciting attacking play—but few goals, a factor that has kept the Lobos from winning more games in the early part of the season. But against Houston, the Lobos were able to convert. UNM established possession early on, and in the 13th minute, senior forward Eileen Zendejas, placed a driven shot just wide of the goal on a one vs. one with Houston junior goalkeeper Rachel Estopare. Despite the early pressure from UNM, it was Houston that struck first. A corner headed clear by the UNM defense was delivered back into the box for senior defender Margo McEntire, who flicked the ball off of the post and in.

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Sports

​Football: Lobos lose game and starting quarterback in conference opener

Robert Maler | September 14

Lobo football hung with Boise State for much of Thursday night, but had their starting quarterback knocked out of the game and couldn't overcome some mistakes in key moments. New Mexico (1-2, 0-1 MW) fumbled on its opening possession for the second game in a row after running back Richard McQuarley picked up enough yardage for a fourth down conversion, but had the ball dislodged before he was down.

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Sports

Women’s Soccer: Lobos look to build momentum at home

Matthieu Cartron | September 14

After a tough 1-0 loss to the University of Washington in overtime, the Lobos (3-3) are set to cap off their final two non-conference games at home. The Lobos battled two strong squads in the University of Portland and the University of Washington in their two most recent games. UNM assistant coach Karley Nelson reiterated her satisfaction with the results, praising the energy level and the fight the Lobos displayed against two “tournament teams.” UNM has struggled this season to convert its opportunities and make the most of its possession. The Lobos are ranked 34th in the NCAA for shots per game—shooting an average of 17 per game, three more than last season’s average. The defensive stats also bode well for UNM—only 9.3 shots allowed per game compared to last season’s 13.1. Despite the improved stats, the Lobos have only scored four goals in their last six games—eight less than what the Lobos had after their first six games of the 2016 season.

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News

Women's rugby team receives funding

Brendon Gray | September 14

The Associated Students of UNM rallied behind the women’s rugby team Wednesday and unanimously approved its more than $15,000 semester appropriation. The $15,586 given to the club will cover the price of a cross-country trek for its national tournament and other away games. The figure will be one of the largest of the semester, said Sen. Francine Briones, chair of the Finance Committee. The women’s team was approved for nearly $4,000 more than the men’s team, which received $11,800 earlier this month. “It’s good to see we have the full support of the ASUNM Senate,” said Anissia Savic, Women’s Rugby Club treasurer who presented to the Senate during the hearing.

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News

Coach Davie under investigation

Matthew Narvaiz | September 14

Lobo head coach Bob Davie is under investigation for a suspected compromised drug testing program and the mistreatment of players, according to an article posted to the New Mexico Fishbowl on Sept. 13. According to the report, an outside investigator was hired by the University to look into the allegations made against the head coach. “I can confirm there is an investigation underway in Athletics,” UNM spokesperson Cinnamon Blair said to NMFishbowl.com. “We are not going to comment on the details or the individuals involved until the investigation is complete.”

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News

WisePies Arena and University Stadium get new signs

Cameron Goeldner | September 13

For Larry Chavez, CEO of Dreamstyle Remodeling, last week was a dream come true, as the signs bearing the name of his company went up at The Pit and formerly known University Stadium. “It’s pretty incredible; when I saw the sign up at the stadium, I got goosebumps,” Chavez said. “I think it’s been told that my first job was selling sodas when I was 14-years-old at the stadium, so it’s been phenomenal. To see it on TV and read it in print, and one thing or another, it’s kind of surreal. It’s like a dream come true.” Last May, the University announced that Dreamstyle had pledged a $10 million gift as part of an agreement that both Wisepies Arena (aka The Pit) and University Stadium would be renamed after the company. There will be an initial payment of $1 million with annual payments of $900,000 through 2027.

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Sports

Men's soccer: Lobos keep winning, take down UC Irvine

Cameron Goeldner | September 11

The New Mexico Men’s Soccer Team rebounded from a slow start to come back and beat the UC Irvine Anteaters in the final game of the Grange and Ashwill Invitational on Sunday night by a score of 2-1. The Lobos started out slowly in the first half, and the Anteaters were able to capitalize on it, with a goal in the 11th minute. This was the result of some chaos in the box, as Devin Boyce blocked a shot from Mario Ortiz — but the rebound was put into the net off of a deflection by Jose Ortiz to give UCI the lead. The goal seemed to wake up the Lobos, and head coach Jeremy Fishbein made some adjustments to his team as a result.

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Sports

Football: NMSU quarterback Tyler Rogers burns Lobos in his Rio Grande Rivalry swan song

Matthew Narvaiz | September 10

Dreamstyle Stadium looked like a sea of red, as a crowd of 32,427 — mostly Lobo fans — showed up to see an in-state rivalry game that was one-sided early on but came down to the wire near the end. Unlike the Lobos first game, UNM’s student section was at near capacity and full of loud, boisterous people who seemed to desperately want to see their team avenge a 32-31 loss the Lobos suffered to the Aggies last season. However, the sea of red that the Lobos presented to the visiting Aggies in the 2017 Rio Grande Rivalry didn't seem to faze New Mexico State.

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Sports

Volleyball: UNM remains consistent, taking two of three matches at Lobo Invitational

Aaron Cowan | September 10

The New Mexico volleyball team finally got an opportunity to play in front of its home crowd after opening the season with six consecutive matches on the road. Even though the Lobos were able to get to play on their home court, the results continued to mimic the ones the team has experienced on the road. The Lobos swept UT Arlington in three straight sets, 25-17, 25-18 and 25-14, to open the Lobo Classic on Sept. 8 at Johnson Center. UNM followed up that performance with another win later that same evening, as it waged a marathon, five-set battle against the Portland Pilots, eventually coming out on top, 25-19, 28-30, 26-24, 22-25 and 15-10.

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Sports

Football: Lobos comeback bid falls just short

Cameron Goeldner | September 10

Three quarters of stagnant offense and a big night from New Mexico State quarterback Tyler Rogers resulted in the New Mexico Lobos losing the Rio Grande Rivalry for the second year in a row. Things got off to a quick start in the game, as UNM’s Tyrone Owens fumbled on the second play from scrimmage. The Aggies recovered in Lobos territory and quickly capitalized on the turnover with a touchdown. However, things got sticky on the extra point as the Aggies fumbled the snap, and Jalin Burrell returned it 98 yards for the Lobos to notch two points.

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Sports

Men's Soccer: Lobos gaining momentum with third consecutive win

Ajinkya Patil | September 9

The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team registered their third win of the season with a 2-1 victory over CSUN while playing in the Grange and Ashwill invitational on Friday night at the UNM soccer complex. Alex Vedamanikam scored his first career goal while Antoine Vial helped double the lead for the Lobos. “Getting the first goal is definitely a special experience. Celebrating it with the team was incredible. I enjoyed every minute of it,” UNM freshman Vedamanikam said.

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Sports

Football: Bragging Rights on the line in Saturday's Rio Grande Rivalry

Robert Maler | September 9

Lobo nation set an oversized rendition of Aggie mascot Pistol Pete ablaze during a rally on Thursday night, and Aggie fans did the same to a Lobo figure—as has been the tradition for many years. Lobo and Aggie fans alike should be ready for a game that is likely to draw the biggest crowd at Dreamstyle Stadium on Saturday—at least during the regular season. New Mexico holds a 70-32-5 advantage in the all-time matchup, but things have been tightly contested as of late. The teams have split the last eight meetings and the three most recent games have been decided by single digits.

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Sports

Men's Soccer: Lobos prepare for Grange and Ashwill Invitational

Cameron Goeldner | September 8

This weekend, the University of New Mexico men's soccer team will host the Grange and Ashwill Invitational, featuring the University of Denver, Cal State Northridge and UC Irvine. The Lobos, riding a two-game winning streak, are coming off of a 4-1 win over Marquette last Monday in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The offense finally broke through for the team. Head coach Jeremy Fishbein, who wasn’t happy with his team’s performance after UNLV, discussed what the team worked on in preparation for Marquette.

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News

Red Rally showcases school spirit before NMSU game

Aaron Cowan | September 7

If you missed Zozobra or Burning Man, then you’re in luck. The University of New Mexico has a similar tradition during its 12th annual Red Rally Bonfire and Pep Rally, hosted by ASUNM’s Lobo Spirit Committee. This year’s rally begins at 8 p.m. Thursday on Johnson Field and will feature UNM’s Spirit Squad, Marching Band, members of the UNM football team and, of course, a 25-foot tall Aggie effigy to be burned to prep before the NMSU-UNM game.

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Sports

Men’s Soccer: Offensive output helps Lobos take on Marquette

Cameron Goeldner | September 7

The New Mexico Lobos (2-2-0) offense unleashed their best effort, as four different players put goals in the back of the net en route to a 4-1 victory over the Marquette Golden Eagles on Monday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was the effort that the team, and head coach Jeremy Fishbein were looking for. "I really feel like we got the performance we needed," Fishbein said in a release. "The win over UNLV was a little bitter sweet. The guys weren't thrilled with their performance so this was a really great reaction. We came out with a lot of fire, scored some really good goals and got on top early.”