Baker’s hat trick highlights the Lobos’ final exhibition game
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team concluded the exhibition portion of its season with a 6-0 shutout win over CSU-Pueblo on Wednesday night at the UNM Soccer Complex. Junior Leilani Baker led the way for UNM by completing a hat trick in the 86th minute of the match. Baker’s third goal was also the Lobos’ sixth and final goal.
The Lobos’ aggressive style of play was exemplified in how quickly they managed to get on the board. Within the fifth minute of the match, it was UNM freshman Maysa Walters who found the back of the net off an assist from sophomore Mackenna Havenor.
The 19-minute mark saw Baker register her first of three goals in the match off of an assist from senior Jessie Hix. On the shot, Baker strategically placed the ball at the top of the net, just out of reach of CSU-Pueblo’s goalie, Rylie Martin.
No more than a minute had passed when sophomore Alesia Garcia scored a goal of her own in the 19th minute, giving the Lobos a 3-0 advantage. Garcia, on the unassisted goal, stayed persistent after the Lobos rallied to get the ball into position for a good look. Once the shot presented itself, the sophomore sunk the ball into the goal.
Baker then extended the UNM lead to 4-0 after posting her second goal of the night in the 28th minute. Redshirt freshman Kylie Russell was credited with the assist that allowed Baker to give the Lobos a four-goal advantage.
Just a minute into the second 30-minute period that was played on Wednesday, redshirt-junior Gwen Maly posted a goal. Junior Cami Floth aided in the shot, providing the assist.
The UNM defenders held the Thunderwolves to one shot in the full ’90, compared to the 20 taken by the Lobos, nine of which were on goal.
Completing her hat trick, Baker posted her third and final goal in the ’86 off of a strong shot that managed to make it through CSU-Pueblo’s defenders and goalie. The rest of the match remained scoreless, giving the Lobos the win to end an undefeated exhibition portion of the 2019 season.
The Lobos open regular season on Sunday versus No. 22-ranked Texas Tech University at 7 p.m. at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos then head to the Husky Invitational in Seattle Washington on August 29.