ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team controlled much of Sunday afternoon’s contest versus the Air Force Academy, however the Falcons converted when they needed to as an Air Force goal off of a free kick in the 82nd minute led a 2-1 Lobos loss at UNM Soccer Complex.
UNM (4-4-2 overall, 0-2-0 Mountain West) was called for a foul roughly 40 yards away with the score tied 1-1 in the 82nd minute, setting up a free kick for Air Force’s Kristina O’Sullivan. The senior took advantage of a 20 mph-plus wind at her back and lofted a ball high into the air that tucked into the top-left corner of the goal – just out of the reach of leaping Lobo keeper Tayler Hammack – to put Air Force (5-3-1, 1-1-0) up 2-1.
A few minutes later a trio of corner kicks in a minute span for UNM led to a Ruth Bruciaga shot that sailed high in the 86th minute, but it would be the Lobos’ only shot taken in the final eight minutes as they dropped their second Mountain West game of the season.
The Lobos finished the contest outshooting Air Force 15-12 (6-5 on shots on goals) and possessed the ball much of the contest – but just couldn’t find a way to convert on an opportunity.
“On Friday night (against Colorado College) we probably didn’t deserve to win because we didn’t put the effort in during the first half – but today I thought we were the better team,” UNM coach Heather Dyche said. “But for whatever reason we couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net. But I wasn’t disappointed with our soccer or with our effort.”
Air Force struck first on a windy, but sunny, afternoon as Taylor Cobb dribbled around a Lobo defender and beat Hammack with a low shot to the right in the 20th minute to make it 1-0 Falcons.
The score remained that way until the 72nd minute when as Lynch was attacking in the penalty box, she was taken down by Air Force goalkeeper Jennifer Hiddink and the Lobos were awarded a penalty shot. Lynch converted for her fourth goal of the season and tied the game, 1-1.
The tie didn’t last, however, and the Lobos dropped to 0-2 in conference and head on the road for four-straight Mountain West games starting Friday at San Jose State.
“It’s definitely not ideal to be starting 0-2, but I think this will fuel our fire,” Lynch said. “This should make us want to go out and win the rest of our games.”
Lynch paced UNM with four shots (two on goal) while Annie Wheeler had three shots – all of which were on target. Isabella Jimenez had the team’s other shot on goal. Hammack finished with three saves for the Lobos.
Following San Jose State, the Lobos play at Fresno State on Sunday (Oct. 2) and follow that up with road games at Nevada (Oct. 7) and UNLV (Oct. 9).
NOTES: This was Air Force’s first win over New Mexico since 2003 as the Lobos had gone 11-0-1 against the Falcons in their last 12 contests. … This is Air Force’s first win in Albuquerque since 2000. … Lynch’s goal was the 13th of her career – tying her for seventh place on the all-time scoring list with Lindsey Guice (2012-15), Zaneta Wyne (2008-11) and Dani Rangel (1993-97).