Lobos Post Fourth Shutout of the Season and Maintain Undefeated Streak
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team continues to blaze through the Mountain West Mountain Region, posting a 4-0 shutout over Air Force (1-3, 1-3 MW) at the UNM Soccer Complex. This is the fourth game in a row that the Lobos (5-0, 5-0 MW) have posted a shutout, outscoring opponents 17-1 on the season.
This is the longest shutout streak for the Lobos (4) since the 2012 season, where the Lobos shutout five teams in a row. The last time the Lobos shutout four teams in their first five games was in 2009. Previously, that stat had been held by the 1993 inaugural Lobo team, who went on to post five shutouts in a row to start the season.
“When you have players that have been through it, especially in games like today where it was hot, you just need an extra bit of discipline,” said head coach Heather Dyche. “I think our kids are showing that maturity every game. They aren’t being rattled.”
Redshirt-senior Gwen Maly continued her five-game scoring streak in the 40th minute of the match. The scoring play started with a corner kick for the Lobos that was deflected and on its way out of the box. Junior Karlee Maes gathered the ball and launched it towards the goal, but the Air Force goalie blocked the shot. The ball bounced into the air off the block, and that is when Maly seized her opportunity and headed the ball to the right corner of the net.
The Lobos opened it up to a 2-0 lead in the 54th minute as junior standout Alesia Garcia dribbled the ball down midfield. Once she got to the top left corner of the box, Garcia slid the ball through two defenders to senior Madi Hirschman. The senior immediately took a sliding shot, and the ball made it out of reach of the goalie and into the back of the net.
No more than five minutes passed before junior Jaelyn Hendren found herself in a scoring opportunity as she collected a shot about 20 yards out and delivered it to the top left corner of the goal, posting her first goal of the season.
Maly posted her sixth goal of the season in the 85th minute of the match after receiving a long pass from sophomore Paris McKenzie. Maly took a couple of dribbles inside the box before sending it to the net’s left corner, securing the 4-0 Lobo shutout.
The Lobos took a total of 19 shots in the game, 10 being on goal. The defense allowed just six shot attempts from the Falcons, with only two being on goal. Redshirt-senior Emily Johnson played a total of 86:47 minutes in the game, posting two saves.
The Lobos will now hit the road for three more games before returning home for senior night on April 9th. The team will first take on Utah State on Saturday, March 27, in Logan, Utah. The game is set to take place at Noon, and a live stream and live stats will be available for fans to keep up with the game.