BERKELEY, Calif. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team came out firing against 21st-ranked California with a pair of shots on goal in the opening minutes, but a Golden Bears goal with 31 seconds left in the first half gave them an edge they wouldn’t relinquish as the Lobos fell 2-0 Friday afternoon at Edwards Stadium.
UNM (0-2-0) following a strong opening 15 minutes where it outshot Cal (2-1-0) 4-2 was holding off a strong Golden Bears attack in the final 20 minutes of the first half thanks in large part to Lobo keeper Tayler Hammack saving the first five shots on goal by Cal.
However with 31 seconds left Kelly Fitzgerald scored near the top of the box on assist from Kayla Fong to put Cal on top 1-0 just before the half.
Eight minutes into the second half the Golden Bears found the net again when Ifeoma Onumonu scored on a rebound off a Hammack save to push their lead to 2-0.
The Lobos threatened with shots on goal by Jennifer Munoz and Amelia Bierle midway through the second half, but UNM never found the back of the net against the Golden Bears. It’s the first time the Lobos have been held scoreless since tying Wyoming 0-0 Oct. 9, 2015 – a stretch of nine contests.
Munoz led the Lobos with three shots with two on goal while Maddie Irwin added two shots – both on goal – as well. Hammack finished with seven saves for UNM.
California outshot UNM 18-11, including 9-6 on shots on goal. The Golden Bears also finished with eight corner kicks compared to one for the Lobos.
The loss marks the Lobos’ second-straight defeat to a ranked opponent as UNM dropped its season opener at then-No. 19 Texas Tech 2-1 Aug. 19 in Lubbock, Texas.
UNM returns to action 2 p.m. Sunday as the Lobos stay in California and travel to Stockton to face Pacific (0-1-0). UNM has faced Pacific only once, falling to the Tigers 2-1 in 2013.
Notes: The Lobos also started 0-2 last season against a pair of ranked opponents (No. 1 Florida State and No. 15 Texas Tech) before going 10-6-2 the rest of the way to finish third in the Mountain West and make it to the semifinals of the Mountain West Tournament. … It’s the first time the Lobos have been held scoreless in a loss since falling to Michigan State 1-0 on Sept. 13, 2015 – a stretch of 14 games. … UNM is now 0-2 all-time against Cal, losing to the Golden Bears 2-1 in 1999.