ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — UNM was just seven seconds from a worthy tie with a solid San Francisco Dons team, but it just wasn’t meant to be. Despite an incredible effort from goalkeeper Emily Johnson, San Francisco’s Autumn Smithers put home a loose ball in the box with just seven seconds left in double overtime, giving San Francisco a 2-1 win over New Mexico. The loss dropped the Lobos to 2-3-0 on the season and 0-3-0 on the road. San Francisco improved to 5-1-0 on the season, its only loss to Stanford.
Statistically San Francisco owns the run of play, outshooting UNM 31-11, including 12-6 on net, but as far as quality chances were concerned, that part was even. The match was scoreless through the opening 43 minute until San Francisco got on the board just before halftime. Ashley Humphrey beat Johnson high into the upper left of the net after corraling a pass in the box from Bianca Code.
That 1-0 Dons lead held until the 56:35 mark, when freshman Alesia Garcia got UNM level. On a free kick, Jennifer Munoz lofted a ball into the box that was continue on towards the back post by Jessie Hix through the air. The ball went right to Garcia, who netted her third, and from there it was on the goalkeepers. San Francisco had a two magnificent chances, one late in regulation and one late in double overtime. Both times, Johnson was left to keep UNM in the game, and both times she made incredible diving saves, parrying the ball just over the bar twice.
UNM had a golden chance to win with five minutes left in the second overtime when Amelia Bierle’s shot was knocked away on a diving save by Molly Eby. The ball rebounded out to Jill Olguin, who teed it up but she mishit it, keeping the game scoreless.
With just 25 seconds left, UNM got victimized by a free kick in the San Francisco end. The Dons parked it forward, and the ball ended up on the foot of Miciah Madison, who sent a ball towards the back post. Johnson dove to knock it off the mark, but it rolled out to Smithers. She deposited it past Johnson and just between two sliding defenders, giving the Dons a 2-1 win.
New Mexico now returns home for the first of four straight games at home, starting next Friday at 7:30 p.m. against UTEP in UNM’s only game next weekend.
NOTES: New Mexico’s last double overtime loss was also in the waning moments, as UNM lost 4-3 in double overtime to San Diego State on October 27, 2017 on a goal with four seconds left … The match was UNM’s first double OT game this season … Garcia’s goal was UNM’s first on the road this year.