COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Rotating several inexperienced players into the lineup for the second consecutive game, the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team gave Weber State a strong challenge on Sunday during the Colorado College Invitational.
The Lobos had several scoring chances that came up empty, and those ended proving costly as the Wildcats (3-2) defeated UNM 2-1.
New Mexico fell to 0-2 on the young season but benefited from several players getting valuable playing time that should help the team when it enters conference play later this month.
It took a few minute for the Lobos to find themselves during the game, and Weber State capitalized. Taryn Davis beat UNM goalkeeper Laura DeMers on an assist from Mackenzie Harrison in the game’s sixth minute to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
DeMers, a redshirt freshman, was making her first career start for the Lobos.
UNM, however, returned the favor almost immediately. Sophomore Cassie Hanson made a great pass to an open Lindsey Guice at the right corner of the box, and Guice beat Weber State goalkeeper Danielle MacKay from nine yards out to tie the game, 1-1, in the ninth minute.
Weber State grabbed the lead during the 35th minute when Harrison took a pass from Kendra Smith and beat DeMers with a 25-yard shot.
Both teams’ defenses played better in the second half and the scoring opportunities dwindled, helping the Wildcats preserve the lead.
UNM outshot Weber State 16-9 and had several other centering chances in front of the WSU net on which it just couldn’t capitalize.
Scoring Summary
New Mexico: (8:47) Lindsey Guice (Cassie Hanson)
Weber State: (5:22) Taryn Davis (Mackenzie Harrison); (34:51) Mackenzie Harrison (Kendra Smith)
Lineups
New Mexico: DeMers (GK), Viola, Webster, Ferrier, Ballantyne, Hinman, Guice, Hanson, Bruciaga, Leyba, Irwin
Weber State: MacKay (GK), Cook, Hansen, Holbrook, MacGoldrick, Harrision, Bair, Willard, Smith, Davies, Tatton
Quotable
“Overall, we played really well. A lot of young kids got a lot of minutes, which should help us down the road. We just couldn’t find the net for that second goal, and usually when that happens, that comes back to bite you and it did.”
“Lindsey Guice was outstanding, Olivia Ferrier was outstanding, and Alexis Leyba as well.”
“We’re in a bit of a tricky situation right now, having to play a lot of inexperienced players. But I told the girls that we put ourselves in this situation. We have to dig out of it.” – UNM coach Kit Vela.
Notes
– Lindsey Guice’s goal was the sixth of her career.
– Laura DeMers recorded two saves in her first career start
– The Lobos were called for 14 fouls; Weber State had eight.
Next up
The Lobos’ home opener is set for Friday at 7 p.m., when Loyola-Chicago comes to the Lobo Soccer Complex. UNM also will play host to No. 8-ranked Florida next Sunday at 11 a.m.