LOGAN, Utah — For less than a minute it appeared the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team may have to feel the painful sting of another late defeat after the unluckiest of bounces led to a Utah State goal in the 90th minute to tie the game with the Lobos at 1-1.
But showing no ill effects, UNM promptly answered 16 seconds later as an Aspen Headrick ball into the box found Claire Lynch and the senior tapped it past the approaching Utah State keeper to give the Lobos a wild 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon at Bell Field.
The win helps UNM (8-4 overall, 3-1 Mountain West) stay a point behind Air Force Academy (3-0-1) and tied with San Jose State and San Diego State for second in the Mountain West after the second week of conference play. Wyoming (2-1-1), UNLV (2-2) and Boise State (2-2) are also at .500 or above in the 12-team conference.
Sunday’s game showed little signs of the heart-stopping finish it would be for much of the first 80 minutes as both teams were limiting each other’s opportunities.
The Lobos broke through in the 81st minute as a ball kicked around the penalty box found the feet of Alexa Kirton on the right side and the freshman put a good foot on it, lined it through traffic and into the left side of the goal to make it 1-0 UNM. It was Kirton’s first career goal.
With the way both teams had played defensively, it appeared it was going to be enough for the Lobos as the final minute hit – but then the madness ensued.
Utah State (6-5-1, 1-3) kicked a ball that entered the penalty area and UNM keeper Emily Johnson – who had made several key saves up to this point – went to clear the ball. Unfortunately for the Lobos, the ball ricocheted off a UNM player and bounced back toward the goal and was going to roll in on its own before Utah State’s Bailee Hammond tapped it in inches in front of the goal line to tie the contest with 44 seconds remaining in the game.
The Lobos, who this season have lost half of their four games on either a last-minute goal or in overtime, didn’t waste time as the ball was quickly passed to Headrick on the left side and she dribbled across midfield with it. The freshman passed to her left and it was deflected by a Utah State defender, but it came right back to Headrick – and it created space for her to send a ball with her left foot into the goal box.
The ball bounced past one defender and Lynch, UNM’s fourth leading all-time scorer, sprinted in front of it and put just one touch on it as the Utah State keeper approached to sneak it into the bottom-right corner of the net with only 28 seconds remaining to give UNM a 2-1 lead for good. It was Lynch’s fourth goal of the season, 21st of her career and her 11th game-winning goal. For Headrick, it was her first career assist.
“Today was a really gritty team win over a very good Utah State team,” UNM coach Heather Dyche said. “I was proud of our heart and commitment to play both sides of the ball. Also, I was really happy to see Alexa Kirton get her first collegiate goal.”
UNM outshot Utah State, 12-11, including 6-5 on shots on goal. Jessie Hix and Jenna Killman led UNM with three shots apiece.
Johnson finished with four saves while facing 11 shots.
The Lobos return home this week as they host Fresno State 7:30 p.m. Friday and San Jose State 1 p.m. Sunday at UNM Soccer Complex.