GoLobos.com reporter Dan Studley caught up with sophomore Ruth Bruciaga following her match winning career-first hat trick against rivals New Mexico State Aggies, helping the Lobos to an emphatic 4-1 scoreline.
The Albuquerque-born midfielder always dreamed of being a Lobo, and playing in front of her friends and family.
“I grew up watching the Lobos, so it means a lot to be representing my hometown and to finally have this opportunity,” the UNM sophomore out of Volcano Vista High School said.
Bruciaga had ample experience going into the 2014 season, playing 20 matches and 906 minutes for the Lobos’ in her freshman year.
“I was pleased to get a lot of minutes,” she said. “I got to learn a lot from the team, and I think it helped my development – not just for my ability on the soccer field, but as a person too.”
Her selflessness and team-orientated drive has been integral in the midfielder’s development, and her hat trick on Sept. 19 at the UNM Soccer Complex is a ‘bucket list’ achievement in any collegiate soccer career.
In talking about her feat against the Aggies, she outlines that team-first philosophy.
“Soring a hat trick wouldn’t have been possible without a great team around me,” she said. Asked what her goals for this season are, she added, “any personal goals are simply the teams goals, too.”
The result against the Aggies had some added spice for Bruciaga, as she was playing against many players from her high school days at Volcano Vista. “It was great to see, and compete against a number of players from my high school days – and an added bonus to get the win, too!”
Although winning the state derby was a big positive, the sophomore remains level-headed as to the significance on the win over NMSU.
“We treat every game as a big game, and don’t favor certain games as important,” she said, revealing her next-game-is-the-most-important mentality. “We try not to get too complacent.”
The Lobos’ aspirations are for a Mountain West championship this season, and Bruciaga believes it is more than achievable if she can do her part.
“Primarily keep scoring,” Bruciaga said, “but if not, I hope I can give at least one positive aspect to the team every game.”
That ambition comes, obviously, from the UNM coaching staff, but it also has been highlighted in her passion for watching the game. Bruciaga cites Argentinian Lionel Messi as her idol in the sport, and has upmost admiration for his ability.
“He is the one player I always watch, and can learn so much from”. “He’s a simply amazing player, and has the plethora of qualities you want to see in the game, so he is someone I really respect and look up to.”