SEATTLE, Wash. — While the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team put together one of its best performances of the early season as the Lobos controlled the contest from opening whistle to the final horn to take down a traditional power in Portland 1-0 Friday night at Husky Soccer Stadium.
UNM (3-2) allowed the Pilots (2-3), who have a pair of national championships under their belt (2002 and 2005) and several former players who have played for the U.S. national team, just five shots total with none of them on goal while taking 16 of its own (five on goal).
“Beating a team like Portland, who has won the national title twice, is a huge win for our program,” UNM coach Heather Dyche said. “It’s a really validating win in that we are doing things right and moving in the right direction. Every player on our team contributed tonight, and I’m really proud of them.”
UNM got the score it needed in the 64th minute when Quincy Slora crossed a ball into Claire Lynch in front of the goal and the senior from Albuquerque punched it in to give the Lobos a 1-0 lead. It was Lynch’s second goal of the season and 19th of her career – fourth on the Lobos’ all-time list. For Slora, it was her first assist in 2017.
Up to that point, the Lobos had controlled possession and had their chances – but couldn’t convert. In the first half, a half that saw UNM outshoot the Pilots 8-1, UNM had a pair of shots on goal that looked promising.
In the 29th minute, a flip throw-in by Jessica Nelson led to a Lynch shot on goal in front of the box – but the Pilot keeper was there to make the save and keep the game scoreless.
Five minutes later, freshman Leilani Baker broke free and had a one-on-one with the goalkeeper – but it was at a tough angle and the Portland keeper again made the save to keep the game tied at 0-0.
The Lobos didn’t slow down in the second half as they continued to put pressure on the Pilots, and after the Lynch goal, Emily Chavez nearly gave UNM insurance as she struck a strong ball from inside the penalty area that was on target and forced the Portland keeper to make a diving save.
But it was Chavez’s play on the back line – along with Ashley Ballantyne, Alexa Cabrales, Isabella Jimenez, Nelson and Aspen Headrick as well as holding midfielder Jessie Hix – that was impressive as the Lobos shut down the Pilots.
UNM keeper Emily Johnson, who didn’t have to make a save – though made several key plays to thwart Portland attacks, picked up her third shutout of the season.
Lynch led the Lobos with four shots with three on goal, Baker took three shots (one on goal) while Chavez, Slora and Cabrales each took two shots.
This is the Lobos’ first win over Portland in its second meeting with the Pilots. UNM played in Portland in 1995 (just the Lobos’ third year of existence) and lost to the Pilots, 10-0.
UNM stays in Seattle over the weekend and will take on Washington 1 p.m. (MST) Monday.