Lobo Soccer Picked #1 in Preseason Poll

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — After winning the Mountain West title in thrilling fashion just four months ago, the Lobos were selected to top the league once again, finishing first in the 2021 preseason poll. The Lobos received nine of 12 possible first place votes in garnering 118 points.  San Diego State, which UNM defeated 3-2 in overtime in the Mountain West championship game on April 17 to win the title, was second with 11 points and the other three first place votes.

Last year the Lobos finished 11-2-1, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament after moving past Navy in penalty kicks 4-3 after a 1-1 draw.  UNM led the league in shots (204), goals (31), assists (25) and points (87) and shutouts (4) while finishing second in goals against average (0.90).

“It’s a great honor for the girls and they are excited about it,” said head coach Heather Dyche, ” but you still have to go out and work hard and prove everything on the field.”

UNM does lose its top two scorers from last year (which was played in 2021 but technically was the 2020 season) in Alesia Garcia (nine goals, four assists) and Gwen Maly (nine goals, three assists), but plenty of firepower returns.  Madi Hirschman and Jadyn Edwards both finished in the top-10 in the Mountain West in points and goals scored, and both were in the top-10 in assists along with Paris Dalton and Karlee Maes.

Defensively, UNM returns a stalwart goalkeeping tandem in Emily Johnson (starter in 2018 and 2020) and Malia Vanisi (starter in 2019). Both combined to limit opponents to just 12 goals, and only three in the regular season.  UNM also returns starters Jaelyn Hendren, Alexa Kirton, Cami Floth, Aspen Headrick, Myah Isais (all of whom started every game last year), Maysa Walters.

New Mexico opens its season on Monday night as the Lobos host Ft. Lewis College in an exhibition match that is free to the public at the UNM Soccer Complex at 7:30 p.m.  The regular season opens in earnest on Thursday against UC Davis in a match being played in Las Vegas.