FLAGSTAFF, Arizona — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team opened the Northern Arizona University Mountain Classic with a win Friday as a Casey Murphy goal ignited a second-half charge that helped the Lobos past Grand Canyon University, 2-0, at Max Spilsbury Field at Lumberjack Stadium.
After playing a scoreless first half with the Lopes (2-5-0), the Lobos (3-2-1) took control in the 51st minute when a cross by Avadney Osbourne was deposited into the back of the net by the junior Murphy for her first goal of the season and give the Lobos a 1-0 advantage.
UNM took advantage of a free kick just outside the penalty area 14 minutes later as Maddie Irwin scored her team-high fourth goal of the 2016 campaign to push the Lobo advantage to 2-0.
UNM coach Heather Dyche pointed toward her team’s depth and upperclassmen’s experience for Lobos’ second-half push.
“It’s really important to us to get significant time for a large number of players in non-conference games,” Dyche said. “Tonight I thought it was obvious that approach has paid off. Players that didn’t start came on in the second half and changed the game for us. We also have a group of upperclassmen and seniors that are supporting and mentoring this team.
“I was pleased with the entire group today.”
Defensively the Lobos locked down in the second half, not allowing GCU to get a shot off in the final 45 minutes. UNM outshot the Lopes 9-4, including 5-2 in shots on goal. Tayler Hammack and Emily Johnson combined for the shutout with Hammack collecting a pair of saves (both in the first half).
Irwin was the only player with multiple shots for the Lobos with two as seven different players tallied a shot.
The Lobos wrap up play in at the NAU Mountain Classic 2 p.m. Sunday when they play the host Lumberjacks.
Notes: Maddie Irwin’s goal was her third in her last two games and was her fourth of the season – surpassing her season-high of three set last season as a junior. … Casey Murphy’s goal was the first of the junior’s career. … Friday was the first time Tayler Hammack didn’t play the entire contest at goalkeeper for the Lobos this season. … As the only Arizona natives on the roster, both Irwin and Avadney Osbourne contributed to the Lobos’ win in their home state with Irwin tallying a goal and Osbourne with an assist – the freshman’s first of her career. … Emily Johnson and Aleksandra Mihailovic received their first collegiate minutes in Friday’s contest.