ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The echo of the opening whistle had barely died off when The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team allowed a goal to Colorado College just 20 seconds into the match and the Lobos never found the equalizer in a 1-0 loss to the Tigers on Friday night at UNM Soccer Complex in both teams’ Mountain West opener.
Colorado College (5-4-0, 1-0-0) took the opening kick and maneuvered down the left sideline before Clara Richter – the Mountain West’s leading scorer – crossed it to the backside to an open Madeline Stesney who headed it in to give the Tigers a lightning-quick 1-0 advantage.
One of the Lobos’ (4-3-1, 0-1-0) best chances came 10 minutes later as a corner kick by Katie Hinman was placed three yards in front of the goal box, Maddie Irwin headed it toward the goal and it was re-directed on a header by Claire Lynch what looked like on target – but it nicked the crossbar and left New Mexico down 1-0 still.
In the second half the Lobos looked poised to score in the 60th minute when a pass on a free kick went into the penalty area and Jessie Hix got a head on it – but the shot went just high and the score remained 1-0 Tigers.
The Lobos were outshot 12-10 by the Tigers – including 7-3 on shots on goal. Savannah Viola led the Lobos with three shots, including taking two of UNM’s three shots on goal.
Tayler Hammack finished with five saves for UNM and fell to 4-3-2 on the season.
The Lobos look to bounce back 1 p.m. Sunday as they take on Air Force at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Falcons lost to San Diego State 2-0 on the road Friday night.
NOTES: The Lobos are now 4-7-0 against Colorado College all-time, including 2-4-0 in Albuquerque. … The goal allowed by UNM broke a scoreless streak of 324 minutes. … The Lobos on Sunday will be looking to move its unbeaten streak over Air Force to 13 games (11-0-1). UNM last lost to Air Force in 2003 and hasn’t lost to the Falcons in Albuquerque since 2000.
Early goal costs Lobos in MW opener
