ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — With 13 fresh faces on the University of New Mexico women’s soccer roster – including 12 freshmen – it was expected for the Lobos to come out of the gate slow during their Cherry & Silver scrimmage Thursday evening.
However, after Cherry’s Quincy Slora accounted for the only goal in the first half, the teams combined for four goals in the second half with Cherry edging Silver 3-2 at the UNM Soccer Complex.
While several players in the second half switched sides to give the coaching staff a look at different combinations, the flow of the contest improved in a high-scoring final half.
The Lobos’ leading returning scorer Claire Lynch said it was just a matter of time before each team started putting balls into the back of the net.
“In the first half of the first game with a bunch of new players, you will see that,” Lynch said. “But I think we worked through it, talked it out and came out a lot better in the second half. … We are just getting a feel for things for the new season with a lot of new players. I felt like we had a lot of good opportunities and scored a lot of goals.”
Silver got the scoring going in the second half as Katie Hinman put away a corner kick by Eileen Zendejas to tie the game, 1-1.
Amelia Bierle followed with another goal for Silver on an assist from Savannah Viola to make it 2-1 before Cherry rallied with goals each by Jessie Hix (assisted by Hinman – who had switched to the Cherry squad) and Hinman (just before the final whistle) to give it a 3-2 victory.
UNM assistant coach Karley Nelson, who is assuming head coaching duties until Heather Dyche returns from assisting the U.S. Women’s National Team in scouting at the Olympics (she’s expected to return Sunday), said the most important factor in a scrimmage such as Thursday’s is to pinpoint what needs to be worked on before the Lobos’ season opener Aug. 19 at Texas Tech – something that was accomplished.
“I think (the scrimmage) went pretty well for the most part,” Nelson said. “I think we identified some things that we are going to need to focus on in the next week.”
As for mixing the newcomers with the returnees, Nelson said that transition has been smoothed thanks to the veteran players.
“We had some player meetings earlier today and (the newcomers) seem to all be adjusting well,” Nelson said. “The returning players have been great and really welcoming them. I feel like they’re really understanding how we want to play. But of course it will take time. This was their first time stepping on the game field. It was a very cool night for them.”
The Lobos host an exhibition game 6 p.m. Sunday versus Eastern New Mexico University. It will be the last chance to catch UNM in Albuquerque until the Lobos play their home opener Sept. 16 against New Mexico State.