Lobos Overpower NMSU 3-1 in Las Cruces
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico got off to a hot start for the third straight game, getting early goals from freshman Zaria Katesigwa and first-time starter Molly Myers as the Lobos defeated New Mexico State for the 10th time in 11 tries, winning 3-1 to extend the Mountain West’s longest active winning streak to four straight.
For the Lobos, Katesigwa and Edwards each scored their fifth goals of the season, and that tied them for the league lead. It was Katesigwa’s goal that opened the scoring just 9:26 into the game, taking advantage of an Aggie mistake. Katesigwa picked off an errant pass from goalkeeper Makenna Gottschalk at the top of the box and she slid home a shot into the far side for the 1-0 lead.
Molly Myers then made the most of her first start of the season, scoring her third goal of the season when she put home a cross from Jadyn Edwards at the 17:43 mark, giving UNM a 2-0 lead.
It stayed that way until the 65:25 mark when Edwards picked up her fifth goal of the year off a Maysa Walters assist to make it 3-0. The Aggies broke the shutout of Emily Johnson, who had five saves on the night, when Ormson scored her second of the season, assisted by Gianna Valenti. However, the Lobo defense tightened and allowed just one more shot the rest of the night.
“New Mexico State is a good program and tonight was really a well-fought game,” said seventh-year head coach Heather Dyche. “To come on the road, put three past them and go home with a win is something we are really proud of.”
UNM outshot NMSU 12-10, but the Aggies put six on net to UNM’s five. NMSU also had more corners (5-4) and fouls (11-10). The win pushed UNM to 5-2-0 on the season as the Lobos ended non-conference season. New Mexico State fell to 4-4 overall. It marked the fifth straight year that the Lobos have had a winning non-conference season under Dyche.
UNM will open up defense of their 2020 Mountain West title on Friday when UNM takes on Wyoming at 7:30 pm at the UNM Soccer Complex.
NOTES: UNM has now had at least six winning streaks of four matches or more in the last five seasons … Edwards now leads UNM with 13 points … Johnson lowered her goals against average to 1.25 and she improved to 3-1 on the season … Myers’ goal was the game-winner, giving her two in the last three games.
