BOISE, Idaho — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team had its four-game winning streak snapped as the Lobos fell to Boise State 3-0 Friday afternoon at Boas Soccer Complex.
UNM (7-4 overall, 2-1 Mountain West) allowed a pair of goals within two minutes of each other as the Broncos (7-4-1, 2-1) scored in the 35th minute on a Raimee Sherle goal put into the top-left corner and in the 36th minute on a one-timer from McKenna Kynett from a ball that was punched out by UNM keeper Emily Johnson.
The Broncos added one more in the 82nd minute when a loose ball was put in by Jessie Vogel to make the final 3-0 – the most goals allowed by UNM this season (the Lobos had allowed just seven goals in 10 contests heading into Friday’s game). It’s only the third time this season UNM has allowed multiple goals in a game.
“Boise State gets credit for the way they started the game,” UNM coach Heather Dyche said. “They came out harder and wanted to win more than we did. In the second half we came to compete, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their start.”
UNM had its chances in the contest – particularly in the second half where it ripped 12 of its 16 shots, but all eight shots on goal in the final 45 minutes by were saved by Boise State senior goalkeeper Janelle Flores.
The most promising UNM chance came in the 70th minute when Eileen Zendejas took a ball out of mid-air near the goal box and one-timed it with her left foot – but Flores made a one-handed diving save to keep the Boise State lead at 2-0.
70′ | CHANCE! Zendejas with a beautiful one-timer that is saved by the Boise State keeper. Getting chances, but trail 2-0. #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/eWexNwup9P
— Lobo Women’s Soccer (@UNMLoboWSoccer) September 29, 2017
A minute later Claire Lynch made something happen on a ball it looked like the Flores was going to collect near the top of the penalty area as the senior beat a Bronco defender then poked the ball away from a sliding Flores and got a shot off with her left foot, but the ball went wide to the right to keep the game at 2-0 Boise State.
71′ | Though she didn’t score, if there was a play to show tenacity of senior & UNM’s 4th-leading all-time scorer Claire Lynch – this is it. pic.twitter.com/IYNaDKFjK0
— Lobo Women’s Soccer (@UNMLoboWSoccer) September 29, 2017
Eileen Zendejas paced the Lobos with six shots (three on goal) while Claire Lynch had three shots with two on goal. Johnson for UNM finished with a season-high six saves and faced 20 shots.
The Lobos return to action 1 p.m. Sunday when they travel to take on Utah State. The Aggies (6-5-1, 1-2) lost at home to San Diego State on Friday, 2-1.