ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team appeared destined for extra time with in-state foe Eastern New Mexico when the Greyhounds scored an equalizer in the 85th minute to tie the Lobos 1-1 in Sunday evening’s exhibition match.
Overtime wouldn’t be needed, however, as Aleksandra Mihailovic found the back of the net from 30 yards out for the Lobos with 18 seconds remaining to give UNM a 2-1 win at the UNM Soccer Complex.
While the Lobos outshot ENMU 28-4 (including 12-2 on shots on goal), the Greyhounds took advantage of a breakaway chance in the 85th minute as Ricci Galdeen scored on an assist from Kenya Brooke to make it 1-1.
UNM picked up its energy after the goal, taking several shots before Avadney Osbourne found Mihailovic at the top of the box and the sophomore ripped a shot that went into the right side of the net with 18 seconds remaining for the game winner.
“The ball was played back, I took a touch and I put it up with my left foot in the upper right corner,” Mihailovic said. “It was a great feeling to have to score the winning goal for the team and my coaches.”
The Lobos took a 1-0 advantage in the first half when Brooke Webster scored on a shot from 25 yards out near the top of the box on a pass from Isabella Jimenez.
UNM head coach Heather Dyche, who flew in from Brazil on Sunday after assisting the U.S. Women’s National Team with scouting at the Olympics, said the result of the contest wasn’t as important as finding what the team needs to improve before Friday’s opener on the road at Texas Tech – ranked No. 19 in the latest NSCAA poll – and follow that up with a road game at No. 18 California on Aug. 26.
“I think for us it wasn’t about the result as it was trying out some different things,” Dyche said. “For us, we wanted to see what combination of players worked well together and see some kids in some spots that they haven’t played before. That was what we really wanted out of it. … We found some things that we have to work on and quickly. Our first two games are against quality opponents. We better get a little bit better, but that is the reason we have these exhibitions.”
The Lobos are coming off a 10-win season in 2015 and finished third in the Mountain West with a 7-3-1 mark. UNM lost in the Mountain West Tournament semifinals in penalty kicks.