COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team has swept the Mountain West weekly awards after junior Alesia Garcia was named the MW Offensive Player of the Week, and redshirt-senior Emily Johnson was named the league’s defensive player of the week.
“Any time players receive individual accolades, it’s incredible but always a reflection of the team and the players around them,” said head coach Heather Dyche.
Both players were vital to the Lobos’ two-game shutout over the weekend, taking down Colorado College 5-0 on Friday and Air Force 4-0 on Sunday.
Garcia made Lobo history on Friday night, recording four goals, marking the first time a Lobo has recorded four goals in a single game at home. Garcia is the first Lobo in 25 years to score as many goals. The last Lobo to achieve such a feat was Laurie Hedgedorn at South Alabama in 1996. Garcia’s four goals are tied for the most in a single game nationally this season. Through two games, the junior recorded four goals and an assist for a total of nine points on the week. She also tallied six shots, including five shots on goal.
“Alesia getting four goals in a game is really special night. She is a player who is always working on her game, and to see the hard work pay off is incredible,” said Dyche.
Johnson was dominant at the net, recording back-to-back shutouts after playing 174 minutes in goal. The redshirt-senior registered six saves in two matches, including four against Colorado College. Johnson has helped the Lobos forge the way to making Lobo history. 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.
“Emily is a leader and a player who is 100% team first. Her presence and command of the box is pushing our team’s success. She deserves every award she receives,” said Dyche.
The Lobos will hit the road for three 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.