SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team displayed the heart and character of a team Friday night against San Diego State that should make all Lobos proud.
Despite being eliminated from contention for the Mountain West Tournament last week, New Mexico put together a gutsy effort that was highlighted by a pair of seniors in their final game in a Lobo uniform each scoring a goal – capped by a Brooke Webster penalty kick conversion in overtime to defeat the Aztecs 2-1 at the SDSU Sports Deck, the first goal of her career in her final moment as a collegiate player.
Whether it was UNM keeper Tayler Hammack making stellar play after play on Aztec breakaways while facing 22 shots, several players making hard challenges to deny SDSU attacks or the players up top fighting for any opportunity they could – the Lobos spoiled the Aztecs’ opportunity at a bye in the first round in the Mountain West Tournament.
More importantly, the Lobos (9-7-3 overall, 5-5-1 overall) capped their season on a high note – particularly for seven seniors in their final collegiate game.
It was one of those seniors – Maddie Irwin – who got the Lobos on the board in the first half. In the 37th minute, Savannah Viola threw the ball in to Irwin between the penalty area and the sideline on the left side of the field. The 5-foot-11 senior made a few touches to free herself and let loose a shot from outside the penalty area that ripped into the right side of the goal for a 1-0 Lobo advantage.
While the Lobos took the lead into the half, their advantage didn’t last long as New Mexico was whistled for a foul just outside the top right corner of the penalty area less than two minutes into the second half. SDSU’s Victoria Barba took the free kick and struck a rocket into the top half of the goal to even the score, 1-1.
The Aztecs had momentum at that point and looked like nine minutes later they may take the lead as an SDSU player broke free and had a one-on-one opportunity against Hammack. But the junior raced off her line and blocked the Aztec player’s shot to keep the game scoreless.
The score remained that way until the end of regulation, and it was San Diego State that appeared it was going to come away with an early goal in overtime. The Aztecs’ Gemma Craine got a good look in the 94th minute and ripped a shot from the top of the penalty area that struck the bottom of the crossbar and bounced back into the field of play – keeping the game tied at 1-1.
Three minutes later SDSU’s keeper Gabby English took down a UNM player in the penalty area to set up the final dramatics for Webster.
The senior that has played either defender or at a defensive midfielder position most of her 63-game, 45-start career had never scored a goal in a Lobo uniform. But with the calmness of a veteran goal scorer, Webster took the penalty kick and deposited it with ease into the back of the net as the Lobos charged onto the field and mobbed the senior to celebrate the victory.
The Lobos were outshot 22-12 in the contest, including 9-5 on shots on goal. The Lobos also never took a corner kick compared to six for San Diego State and committed more fouls than the Aztecs (10-7).
Irwin and Gwen Maly paced the Lobos with three shots apiece with all three of Irwin’s being on goal. Webster and Jessie Hix each had two shots apiece.
Hammack finished with a season-best eight saves for the Lobos.
The seven Lobos playing their final game were: Irwin, Webster, Annie Wheeler, Olivia Ferrier, Katie Hinman, Victoria Archuleta and Ruth Bruciaga.
NOTES: This is the second time in a row the Lobos have beaten San Diego State in San Diego. … The win for the Lobos also kept the Aztecs from having their second consecutive undefeated season at home in conference play. … The victory makes it the ninth year in a row the Lobos have finished .500 or better in Mountain West play. … The Lobos went 3-2-1 against the six teams that are in the Mountain West Tournament, including beating three of the top four teams.