Sports - The Daily Lobo

Redshirt midfielder Annie Wheeler fends off New Mexico State defenders as she drives towards the net on Friday, Sept. 16, 2016 at the UNM Soccer Complex.

Sports

Women's Soccer: Lobo offense finally breaks through in second half against NMSU

Robert Maler | September 17

For the first time in the 2016 season, New Mexico was able to play in front of its home crowd in a 2-0 shutout victory over in-state rival New Mexico State on Friday. Head coach Heather Dyche said people jokingly asked if the team would still be able to find the field. Just to be on the safe side, the Navy Leap Frogs parachuted onto the field prior to the match to lead the way.

Sports

Women's Tennis: Lobos to begin season in Texas under new head coach, returning players

Robert Maler | September 16

New Mexico released its new schedule and the team is ready to begin its road-heavy start of the season at the Midland Invitational in Texas. First year head coach Stephanie Wooten-Quijada said everyone has been very welcoming, and she likes what she sees as far as the team dynamic.

Senior forward Niko Hansen evades Grand Canyon University players on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos will face off with UC Irvine on Saturday in Irvine, California.

Sports

Men's Soccer: Lobos head back on the road riding 4-game winning streak

Isabel Gonzalez | September 16

After two successful weekends at home, the UNM men’s soccer team is back on the road this week. The Lobos (4-2) will travel to California to play the UC Irvine Anteaters, a team New Mexico hasn’t faced since 2012. The last time UNM played UC Irvine was in Albuquerque in the fall of 2012. The Lobos managed to get a 2-1 victory, but only after a late game-tying goal by the Anteaters forced the match to go into double overtime.

Senior running back Teriyon Gipson reaches out for a pass on Saturday in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Lobos will play their third game of the season against Rutgers University this Saturday in Piscataway, New Jersey.

Sports

Football: Team loses key players to injuries after NMSU loss

Robert Maler | September 15

New Mexico (1-1) suffered a heartbreaking loss to New Mexico State on Saturday, but it also lost some key players due to injury that could make things even tougher as the season continues. Head coach Bob Davie said arguably the team’s best defensive and offensive players will not be making the trip to New Jersey to do with battle Rutgers (1-1) on Saturday.

Freshman defender Avadney Osbourne chases down the ball on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016 at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos and the Aggies will compete this Friday at 7 p.m.

Sports

Women's Soccer: Former teammates face off in Rivalry game

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 15

After an extensive road trip, New Mexico gets to come home, but they won't have much time to rest. Following nearly a month of road games all over the nation, the Lobos get to play in front of home fans for the first time in the 2016-2017 season, and will be facing off against a New Mexico State team with plenty of familiar faces.

News

Longtime voice of UNM sports Mike Roberts passes away

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 13

For 42 years Mike Roberts’ voice rang true to UNM athletics. While the former broadcaster started with New Mexico football, Lobo fans will largely associate his commentary with basketball. On Tuesday afternoon, Roberts passed away at age 83 after a bout with cancer.

Seniors Julia Warren and Cassie House have been playing volleyball with current head coach Jeff Nelson since they were in high school.

Sports

Fall Sports Issue: Growing up under Nelson

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 12

Jeff Nelson is not just another coach to seniors Cassie House and Julia Warren. New Mexico’s head coach has had the two under his wing from a young age, even when Nelson was just getting acclimated to the community, and the chile, himself.

Freshman defender Rafa Jimenez charges the ball during a practice on Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 at the UNM Soccer Complex. Jimenez came to UNM from Madrid, Spain, and has played for the influential soccer club Club Atletico De Madrid.

Sports

Fall Sports Issue: Spanish soccer upstart joins UNM

Isabel Gonzalez | September 12

Whether it’s at club or international level, Spain is almost inarguably one of the most dominant countries in the world when it comes to soccer. The UNM men’s soccer team now has a little piece of that distinction.

Sports

Fall Sports Issue: Soccer star from ABQ launches clothing line

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 12

Though he has built a career playing professionally around the globe, former Albuquerque soccer standout Ben Spencer has always had a vision for the place he calls home. Spencer moved away from the Land of Enchantment at the age of 15 to pursue his dream of playing soccer professionally.

Redshirt junior Alice Wright competes at in the Outdoor Track and Field Championship in Eugene, Oregon.

Sports

Fall Sports Issue: Q & A with Alice Wright

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 12

Alice Wright, who came to UNM from England, was part of the National Championship cross country team that the Lobos ran last fall. The Daily Lobo caught up with Wright -- this year a redshirt junior runner on the team -- to discuss what it has been like in the 10 months since emerging victorious in the NCAAs, getting used to New Mexico, and her goals for the future.

Markel Byrd’s 22 sits painted into the field at University Stadium. Byrd, a former UNM football player, passed away from a motor vehicle accident in late 2015.

Sports

Fall Sports Issue: Byrd's life inspires fellow Lobos

Robert Maler | September 12

The touchback on kickoffs was moved from the 20 to the 25-yard line in college football for this season, but something else was recently unveiled between those points on Branch Field at University Stadium. Numbers usually appear in 10-yard increments on a football field, but in its home opener against South Dakota, the Lobos honored one of its fallen teammates by placing the number 22 at the corresponding yard lines. Markel Byrd, former Lobos safety, wore number 22 during his tenure at New Mexico. He had just ended his sophomore season, in which he helped the team earn its first bowl appearance since 2007.

NMSU senior quarterback Tyler Rogers looks for an open player as Lobos chase him down Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Aggies had a slow start in the Rio Grande Rivalry, but finished on top 32-31.

Sports

Fall Sports Issue: NMSU narrowly takes the Rio Grande Rivalry

Robert Maler | September 12

New Mexico State started slow in both halves of the game, but relied on strong finishes to earn its first win over New Mexico since 2011. Early in the contest, the Lobos offense was rolling and the defense tightening up anytime the Aggies got near the red zone, forcing NMSU to settle for field goals.

Senior Manon Mollé drives a ball down range during practice Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016 at the UNM Championship Course. The Lobos will host the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire competition beginning on Monday.

Sports

Women's Golf: UNM to face stiff competition in historic tourney

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 12

New Mexico will play host to some of the best teams of the country in the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, which opens on Monday morning. Despite heavy competition, head coach Jill Trujillo has no shortage of expectations for her team, and expects to hoist the trophy in her four seniors’ final tournament at home.

Sports

Women's Soccer: Lobos end long road trip with tie

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 12

New Mexico ended the NAU Mountain Classic and its grueling seven game road trip with a 0-0 tie against Northern Arizona on Saturday night. The Lobos (3-2-2) played the Lumberjacks in a tight and equal match on paper

Junior forward Sam Gleadle launches the ball downfield against Grand Canyon University Sunday Sept. 11, 2016 at the UNM Soccer Complex.

Sports

Men's Soccer: Hansen's goal lifts Lobos to fourth straight win

Isabel Gonzalez | September 12

UNM took down the Grand Canyon Lopes 1-0 thanks to another goal by senior forward Niko Hansen and shutdown defense on Sunday night. The lone goal gave the Lobos (4-2-0) their second win of the Grange and Ashwill Memorial Tournament weekend, and their fourth straight overall. All four wins have been shutouts under junior goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu.

Sophomore setter Carson Heilborn dives to save a out of bounds ball Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 at WisePies Arena aka the Pit.

Sports

Volleyball: Lobos hold their own against No. 1 Nebraska

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 10

An opportunity to get better or a chance to play in an electric postseason atmosphere? Either way, New Mexico did not back down against the number one team in the nation in front of 4,473 fans, the fourth largest crowd in program history.

Senior line backer Dakota Cox hits the turf as NMSU players celebrate around him Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Lobos lost to the Aggies for the first time since 2011 by a score of 32-31.

Sports

Football: NMSU steals the win from UNM in fourth quarter

Robert Maler | September 10

Last season, New Mexico State controlled the first half before blowing a lead in the second. On Saturday night at Aggie Memorial Stadium, New Mexico State returned the favor en route to a 32-21 loss in the Rio Grande Rivalry. It’s the first time NMSU has beaten UNM since 2011. The Lobos controlled the action for most of the game, but the Aggies made big plays on offense, defense, and special teams to scrap its way back and score the go-ahead touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Sports

Women's Soccer: Lobos open up road tourney with win

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 10

As they close a rigorous stretch of road matches, the Lobos opened the NAU Mountain Classic with a 2-0 victory over Grand Canyon University at Lumberjack Stadium. After a quiet first half by both clubs, New Mexico announced its arrival in after the break, sparked by junior midfielder Casey Murphy’s goal in the 51st minute.

Senior forward Niko Hansen lunges toward the ball Friday Sept. 9, 2016 at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos beat CSU Bakersfield 1-0 in overtime.

Sports

Men's Soccer: Lobos defensive streak continues in 1-0 win over CSU Bakersfield

Isabel Gonzalez | September 10

It took 109 minutes and 32 seconds, but the grinding paid off. The Lobos took a 1-0 victory over the Colorado State University, Bakersfield Roadrunners on Friday, the first night of the Grange and Ashwill Memorial Tournament. The win came with 28 seconds remaining in the second period of overtime.

UNMs volleyball team celebrates game point against Montreal Friday Sept. 9, 2016 at WisePies Arena.

Sports

Volleyball: Lobos shake shaky start to earn exhibition win

Liam Cary-Eaves | September 10

The past two nights, teams have not been able to master its serves. In both contests UNM has played in, the Lobos and opponents have combined for 42 service errors, 21 each night. New Mexico (6-2) would eventually find its groove and complete a 3-0 sweep over Montreal in an exhibition match on Saturday night.