LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team’s hard-fought journey to the Mountain West Tournament finals came to an end a win short of a title as the Lobos lost in the championship game to San Diego State 3-0 Saturday night.
The Aztecs took a 1-0 lead in the 58th minute when a long ball skipped off a Lobo defender’s head near midfielder and continued on and led to breakaway where SDSU’s Aliyah Utush snagged it for a one-on-one opportunity with UNM keeper Emily Johnson. Utush tapped it by the diving Johnson and it rolled in despite a valiant effort by UNM defender Emily Chavez who got there just before it crossed the goal line, but didn’t have the angle to save it on her touch.
UNM, which won two matches in penalty kicks to make it to the finals (including a game it scored the equalizer in the 87th minute a player down to force overtime), appeared it may get an equalizer just four minutes later. A Jessica Nelson flip throw made its way to Quincy Slora on the far end and the senior put a good foot on it, but the shot went just wide to the right to keep the Aztecs ahead 1-0.
Utush went on to add two more goals in the 76th and 82nd minute to make the final 3-0.
Though it didn’t end the way they wanted, the Lobos and coach Heather Dyche will reflect fondly on this last week as they entered the tournament the No. 4 seed and were picked to finish the season eighth in the preseason conference poll.
“I’m so proud to be a part of this team,” Dyche said. “This year has been an incredible ride – we just ran out of gas tonight. It’s been a great week and we are proud of the way we’ve represented The University of New Mexico.”
The Lobos had their opportunities early on against the Aztecs on Saturday, including a pair of chances in the 22nd minute when Bierle had a left-foot shot strike where the crossbar and post meet and it eventually made its way to Jessie Hix where she blasted a ball just off target.
UNM outshot the Aztecs 15-13 in the contest with seniors Claire Lynch and Slora each getting three shots apiece to lead the Lobos. Johnson finished with five saves.
UNM had a trio players named to the All-Mountain West Tournament Team in Slora, Jennifer Munoz and Jessie Hix.
The Lobos played the title game without two of its starting defenders in outside back Alexa Cabrales and center back Ashley Ballantyne – both out due to injuries suffered during the Mountain West Tournament.
The Lobos finished the season 12-8-2 – the most wins for the program since 2011, the same year they won their lone Mountain West Tournament title. UNM will lose nine players off of this season’s roster.
Lobos’ run ends, fall to SDSU in MW Tourney finals
