Three second-half goals lifts Lobos to 3-2 win over Utah State
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – For the second time in as many games, the University of New Mexico women’s soccer team found themselves trailing 2-0 in the first half, but like they did on Friday night, the Lobos rallied back. Unlike on Friday, however, the Lobos scored a third goal in the second half to avoid overtime and earn an out-right victory over Utah State on Sunday afternoon at the UNM Soccer Complex.
“This team is really capable of being great and when they start having faith in how good they are they play like that (in the second half),” remarked head coach Heather Dyche. “I love this team, I love hard they work, that they do not give up, and that they play for each other.”
Upon arriving to the pitch on Sunday, it was apparent that the wind very well could play a factor in the outcome of the game and the stats bore that out. With a relentless south wind at 25-35 miles per hour at kickoff, the Lobos (7-5-1, 3-2-1 MW) defended the north goal, which was facing the teeth of the wind.
In that first half, Utah State was the beneficiary of the wind at their back and found the back of the net twice on three shots on goal. The first goal scored by the Aggies (2-10-1, 1-4-1 MW) came in the 15th minute of the game as Imelda Williams headed in a ball that came off of a UNM defender in the box following a corner kick moments earlier.
The second goal for the Aggies came in the 30th minute and was assisted by Williams. On that goal, Kanyan Ward-Merril received a cross in the box from Williams and with a running start, Ward-Merril put away the chance on a header.
In the 35th minute, the Lobos made a change in goal and Malia Vanisi occupied the posts the remainder of the half and all of the second half as well.
Despite going into the wind while on offense, the Lobos were still able to generate chances as they had 13 shots with two going on goal in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, with the wind at their back, the Lobos made those chances come more frequently with 12 total shots and seven on goal.
In the 57th minute, Gwen Maly put the Lobos on the board as she put home a chance that was initially saved by the Aggies’ goalie Grace McGuire, but a short throw by McGuire landed right at the feet of Maly for the goal; her fourth of the season.
56:43 GOAL New Mexico! Gwen Maly gets her fourth goal of the season #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/mMJZpm0bVj
— Lobo Women’s Soccer (@UNMLoboWSoccer) October 7, 2018
Less than a minute later, Maly tied Alesia Garcia for the team-lead in goals this season with five as she ripped a free-kick opportunity past McGuire. Just like that, the Lobos had knotted the score at two-all.
57:26 GOAL Gwen Maly! Maly with back-to-back goals to tie up the game! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/H0f2IYWWVi
— Lobo Women’s Soccer (@UNMLoboWSoccer) October 7, 2018
Continually applying pressure, the Lobos got the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute of the game as Leilani Baker had a breakaway chance thank to a great through pass by Amelia Bierle. With Baker alone against the keeper, she went near left post for the goal, her third of the season.
71:30 GOAL New Mexico! Leilani Baker puts the Lobos on top with her third goal of the season #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/7SoDTysjMI
— Lobo Women’s Soccer (@UNMLoboWSoccer) October 7, 2018
That score would hold up as the Aggies were unable to register a single shot in the second half.
The Lobos will now take to the road next week for a pair of Mountain West games. First up is a Friday night affair with UNLV at 8 p.m. (MT), and then Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. (MT) against Nevada.