ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico soccer team is set to open its 2022 season as it hosts the Lobo Invitational on Thursday and Sunday, August 18 & 21, at the UNM Soccer Complex.
The four-team tournament opens up with a neutral site game between UNLV and CSU-Bakersfield at 4:30 p.m. (MT), followed by the Lobos’ season opener against No. 6 Rutgers at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for Thursday’s matches are just $2. Lobos fans are encouraged to wear white for the White Out game on Thursday and white rally towels will be given away to fans while supplies last.
The Lobos are coming off a season when they were named the Mountain West regular season champions, along with winning the Mountain West Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row. New Mexico was picked to finish first in the Mountain West for the second season in a row. Although New Mexico lost a few starters in Emily Johnson, Alexa Kirton and Molly Myers, they return a bunch of star players in Jadyn Edwards (MW Offensive Player of the Year), Zaria Katesigwa (Newcomer of the Year), Jaelyn Hendren, Karlee Maes and Leilani Baker.
No. 6 Rutgers is coming off a record-breaking season in which they were Big Ten Champions for the first time in program history. After advancing to the NCAA College Cup semifinals last season, United Soccer Coaches picked them as No. 6 in the nation in the preseason poll, which was released on August 2.
CSU-Bakersfield finished in sixth place in the Big West last season with a record of 3-14-2 overall. The Roadrunners have six starters returning, including Karen Flores who was voted to the Big West Preseason Team.
On Sunday, No. 6 Rutgers and UNLV open the day up at 10:30 a.m., followed by New Mexico and CSU-Bakersfield at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for the day are $5. There will be a tailgate with free food, presented by Albertson’s, before the game as part of UNM’s Welcome Back weekend.
The Lobos hit the road on Aug. 25 to face Texas Tech in Lubbock, Texas, at 6 p.m.
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