Hix's two goals pace UNM in 4-0 win over NAU
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — With conference play just around the corner, the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team heading into this weekend was looking for its scoring touch with all the chances they’ve been creating this season as the Lobos were second in the Mountain West and 34th in the NCAA with 17 shots taken per game – but with just four goals on the season to show for it.
UNM appears to have found that touch.
The Lobos scored a combined seven goals this weekend against Houston (3-2 win Tuesday) and Northern Arizona, including Sunday’s 4-0 victory over the Lumberjacks at UNM Soccer Complex in UNM’s final non-conference game before starting Mountain West action 7:30 p.m. Friday at home against defending conference champion UNLV.
The Lobos (5-3) got a pair of goals Sunday on headers from sophomore Jessie Hix (she finished with three on the weekend) while junior Jennifer Munoz and senior Quincy Slora each added a goal to give UNM its highest scoring output while shutting an opponent out since Aug. 21, 2011, against Cal State Bakersfield.
“Anytime the ball goes out of bounds on our half, we’re going to be able to serve it into the box so we needed to increase our odds of finishing,” UNM coach Heather Dyche said. “We adjusted with how we deal with our throw ins and corner kicks. Obviously when you have someone like Jessie Hix who heads the way she does, you got to figure ways to get her the ball.”
UNM took an early 1-0 lead on NAU (5-4) in the 22nd minute when a ball that ricocheted off a NAU player in the penalty area found the feet of Munoz who calmly one-timed it into the back of the net.
The Lobos needed just 39 second to take a 2-0 advantage when a ball sent in by Alexa Cabrales from the right side was headed in by the leaping Hix.
The Lobos took the 2-0 lead into the half and increased it 20 minutes later when Slora took the ball down the left side, and from 35 yards out, hooked it into the top-right corner to make it 3-0 UNM.
Hix capped the scoring in the 74th minute when on a free kick from the left side, Claire Lynch launched it to the right side of the goal where Hix headed it in to make it 4-0.
“This was huge for us,” Hix said of this weekend’s victories. “This gives us confidence heading into conference – and that’s a big deal for us.”
It was a strong overall effort by the Lobos as UNM outshot the Lumberjacks 26-4, including 11-1 on shots on goal and allowing just one shot in the second half. Lynch led the team with five shots with four of those on goal, Slora had four shots, Emily Chavez had three and Munoz, Hix and Jill Olguin had two apiece.
Emily Johnson made one save in getting her fourth shutout of the season for UNM.
Along with hosting UNLV on Friday, the Lobos will host Nevada 1 p.m. Sunday (Sept. 24) at UNM Soccer Complex.