Lobos Bounce Back with 5-1 Win Over Dixie State
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Freshman Zaria Katesigwa scored twice in the opening 12 minutes, and the Lobos blew the doors off Dixie State with a three-goal salvo in the final 10 minutes as the Lobos bounced back from a season-opening loss with a dominating 5-1 victory over Dixie State. The win pushed UNM to 1-1-0 on the season.
The Lobos now return home for three straight games, opening with a second exhibition match on Thursday night against Adams State at 7:30 pm at the UNM Soccer Complex, before hosting a pair of Pac-12 teams. The Lobos will host Oregon State on Sunday, August 29 at 1 p.m. and then Washington the following Sunday, September 5 at noon.
“Any time you can have five goals, all but one being from first-time goal scorers, is really a positive,” said head coach Heather Dyche. “I’m happy with the response to a tough loss on Thursday and looking forward to getting in front of our home fans.”
All five goals on the day were scored by underclassmen, and it started early for the Lobos. Katesigwa, earning the start, got UNM on the board first, putting home a pass from Jaelyn Hendren just 3:32 into the game for a quick 1-0 lead.
Dixie State responded with a goal at the 8:43 mark to level things out at 1-1, but Katesigwa was there to put UNM into the lead for good, placing a shot into the top right side of the net for a 2-1 lead at the 13:31 mark.
From there, Malia Vanisi held the Trailblazers at bay, recording five saves on the afternoon. UNM then blew the game open late with a three-goal salvo that came in less than eight minutes. Sophomore Alix Hailey got things rolling blasting a shot past Kayla Thompson off a Cami Floth pass to give UNM a little cushion, making it 3-1. Just 2:11 later Gabi Franco took a Jadyn Edwards pass and picked up her first career tally, making it 4-1.
Natalie DeGagne capped the scoring with an unassisted goal with 2:30 remaining, giving UNM the 5-1 win. DeGagne’s goal was the second of her career.
The Lobos outshot Dixie State 20-14 on the day, and 10-6 on net. UNM also had six corner kicks to five for Dixie State.