New Mexico Makes State History and Advances to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament

WILSON, N.C. — For the first time in state history, a team from New Mexico has advanced in the women’s soccer NCAA Tournament. That team is The University of New Mexico Lobos (10-1-1), who edged out Navy 1(4)-1(2) in a penalty shootout thriller on Tuesday in Wilson, North Carolina. Junior Alesia Garcia scored the equalizer in the 71st minute, allowing the Lobos to fight on through two overtimes and a PK shootout. With Emily Johnson in goal, the Lobos took down the Midshipmen (4-4-3) 4-2 in the penalty kicks.

“This was enormous. I am from New Mexico, and I think the state has a storied soccer history with Coach Fishbein, certainly New Mexico United, and without question what the previous staff did before I got here,” said head coach Heather Dyche. “I am a competitive person. I want to win, and I think you can do that with New Mexicans, and I think you can do that at The University of New Mexico. I carry that torch proudly, and I think this team does too. For us to break records all year long, and for us to break that one, it’s so satisfying.”

If there is one thing you have learned from the Lobos after this season, it’s that the team is resilient, and that showed tonight as Navy jumped ahead 1-0 in the first minute of the match. Despite playing an aggressive game offensively, the Lobos couldn’t get a shot to go until the 71st minute, when junior Jadyn Edwards, off a diving pass, got the ball to freshman Paige Satterlee. The freshman immediately launched a pass to Garcia, who dribbled once before sending it into the back of the net, tying the game for the Lobos.

Garcia was determined to score a goal in the match after having a penalty kick blocked in the 67th minute.

“I am pretty hard on myself, so I told myself, ‘Let it go, it is over with and done, just keep working and finish what you can finish,'” said Garcia.

And the junior did just that. After scoring in the 71st minute, the game remained tied through regulation and two overtime periods, forcing a penalty kick shootout to determine who would move on in the NCAA Tournament.

Emily Johnson came in clutch in the match, being in goal for the Lobos during penalty kicks. The redshirt senior blocked a total of two of the four attempted penalty kicks by the Midshipmen, and senior Madi Hirschman sealed the deal by posting the Lobos fourth and final penalty kick.

“In my career here, we have been in quite a few big-time penalty kick shootouts. Never nervous, just ready,” said Johnson. “Going into penalty kicks, I lock in and focus on the ball and the shooter. We’ve been practicing these throughout our practices, so I knew that my team had their shots on lockdown. I knew I had to do my part and try to come out with a few saves.”

In every game this season, the Lobos have out-shot the opponent, and this time the Lobos posted 18 shots, eight being on goal while Navy posted 11, six being on goal. The Lobos forced seven saves in the match. Both Gwen Maly and Jadyn Edwards took five shots on the night, with two and one being on goal, respectively. Karlee Maes was a force on defense, seeing action in all 110 minutes of the match.

The Lobos will now advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history, facing tournament-ranked No.4 TCU on Friday at Gillette Field. Kick-off is tabbed to take place at 4 p.m. MT.

To keep up with all things Lobo Soccer, follow @UNMLoboWSoccer on Twitter!