Open Announce

Lobos dominate in the first half; shutout NAU 3-0

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team collected its second shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over NAU on Sunday afternoon at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos were in the lead since the first minute of the match off a goal from junior Leilani Baker, and maintained that lead with two more goals, all in the first half.
 
The Lobos’ (3-3-0) dominance in the first half forced the Lumberjacks (3-2-1) to play catch-up virtually the entirety of the match which they were unable to do.
 
It was just over 30 seconds into the match when Baker gained possession of the ball and ran it all the way up the left side of the field, towards the NAU goal. With a solo defender to her right, Baker was able to create herself enough room to get into in shooting position, which she capitalized on to find the back of the net.
 
The Lobos maintained this aggressive style of play throughout the first half and was exemplified by the second goal of the game in the 17th minute. In sequence to the goal, it was senior Jessie Hix who was the first Lobo to have a foot on the ball as she gained possession at the top right corner of the box. Off the cross over the defenders from Hix, Alesia Garcia quickly drove the ball closer to the net with a header. Redshirt junior Gwen Maly then was in the ideal position to make a play on the high ball from Garcia and headed the ball into the net.
 
Before the end of the first half, the Lobos found themselves in the position to gain a three-goal lead when redshirt sophomore Isabella Solorza found sophomore Jadyn Edwards open in the box. It was a quick pass from Solorza that allowed Edwards to turn with the ball and hammer it into the goal, giving the Lobos a 3-0 advantage.
 
The goals by Maly and Edwards were the first of the season for both players respectively. Baker’s goal was her second on the season, one goal away from tying her season high count in 2018.
 
NAU changed the pace of the game in the second half as they applied more pressure on the Lobos net. The Lumberjacks attempted twice as many shots in the second-half (8) compared to the first (3). The Lobo defense and redshirt-sophomore goalie, Malia Vanisi, however kept NAU scoreless after six of their shots were on goal.
 
The Lobos hit the road again to face Rio Grande Rival, New Mexico State on Friday, September 20 in Las Cruces. The team will then open their conference slate on the road at Colorado State on September 27.