Lobos Down Fresno State 3-1 to Open Homestand
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico women’s soccer team began a four-game homestand on Thursday night with a 3-1 victory over Fresno State at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos improve to 4-3-5 overall (2-1-2 MW) with the win, while the Bulldogs drop to 1-9-3 (1-3-1 MW).
Leilani Baker had her first career multi-goal game with a pair of first-half goals and Zaria Katesigwa added a second-half goal for the Lobos.
New Mexico opened the scoring in the eighth minute on Baker’s first of the night. After a Bulldog corner kick, Baker collected the ball just outside the box and out-sprinted the defense the length of the field to score on the breakaway. She doubled the UNM lead in the 37th minute with her second goal of the night, fourth of the season, as she tapped in a ball at the far post after Liza Mariner’s cross snuck past the keeper.
The Lobos added a third goal in the 63rd minute when Natalie DeGagne’s clearance found Katesigwa behind the defense, as she scored her third goal of the season on the breakaway. The Bulldogs added a late goal in the 88th minute as Tiana Beavers struck from long-range.
New Mexico outshot Fresno State 14-12 overall and 8-5 in shots on goal. Fresno State had a 14-4 edge in corner kicks. Alli Davis and Callie Droitsch each made one save in goal for UNM.
“We have been talking about individual confidence and trusting yourself to play, and I think we saw that a lot tonight,” said UNM head coach Heather Dyche. “When people came on, they brought energy to the game, which was fun to see. I hope that we can bring that energy every night, especially on our home field, because I know the girls will continue to put the work in.”
The Lobos continue their four-game homestand on Sunday when they host San Jose State. Game time at the UNM Soccer Complex is 1:00 p.m.
NEW MEXICO 3, FRESNO STATE 1
Fresno State (1-9-3, 1-3-1) 0 1 – 1
New Mexico (4-3-5, 2-1-2) 2 1 – 3
Scoring Summary
1. UNM. Leilani Baker 3 (unassisted) 8’
2. UNM. Leilani Baker 4 (Liza Mariner 1) 37’
3. UNM. Zaria Katesigwa 3 (Natalie DeGagne 1) 63’
4. FS. Tiana Beavers 1 (unassisted) 88’
Stats:
Shots: UNM 14, FS 12
SOG: UNM 8, FS 5
Corners: UNM 4, FS 14
Saves: UNM 4 (Davis 1, Droitsch 1, Team 2), FS 5 (Vivas 4, Wilson 1)
Fouls: UNM 15, FS 5