Lobos Cap Homestand with 4-0 Victory over Nevada

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico women’s soccer team capped an unbeaten four-game homestand with a 4-0 victory over Nevada on a windy and rainy Sunday afternoon at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos improve to 6-3-6 overall (4-1-3 MW) with the win, while the Wolf Pack fall to 3-9-3 (2-5-1 MW).

The Lobos matched their highest scoring output of the season with the four-goal performance. Leilani Baker scored in the first half, while Natalie DeGagne, Ellie Robinson and Skye McMillon added second half goals.

In the first half, both teams had chances as they battled the windy conditions. The Lobos took advantage in the 24th minute to take a 1-0 lead. Karlee Maes sent a free kick into the box that bounced to Baker, who knocked in her sixth goal of the season. UNM took that 1-0 lead into the intermission.

The Lobos had several chances early in the second half, but the game remained 1-0 until the 66th minute. A clearance from the Wolf Pack was intercepted by DeGagne, who fired a shot from the top of the box into the upper corner for her second goal of the season. Three minutes later the lead was stretched to 3-0 as Robinson scored her first career goal as she tapped in the rebound of a save from a Edwards shot. McMillon concluded the scoring with her first goal as a Lobo in the 77th minute as she headed home a cross from Jaelyn Hendren.

The assist for Edwards on Robinson’s goal was her 23rd career assist, tying the school record of Laurie Hegedorn, who collected 23 assists from 1994-97.

New Mexico outshot Nevada 27-12 overall and 16-2 in shots on goal, while holding a 6-1 edge in corner kicks. Alli Davis made two saves in goal for UNM, combining with Callie Droitsch to earn the shutout.

“We knew coming into the season that this four-game homestand was going to be huge,” said UNM head coach Heather Dyche. “Last week, I think we were disappointed not to come out with two wins, but this week we got two wins and I thought today was exceptional performance from the whole team. There was a breakthrough today and it was great to see some different players get in on the scoring. In the second half we were shooting like we meant it and when you have that self-belief, you have a tendency to make the most of your chances.”

The Lobos will open a two-game road trip on Thursday at Boise State. New Mexico will visit Utah State on Sunday before ending the regular season on Oct. 27 by hosting San Diego State.

NEW MEXICO 4, NEVADA 0

Nevada (3-9-3, 2-5-1)                      0  0  –  0
New Mexico (6-3-6, 4-1-3)            1  3  –  4

Scoring Summary
1. UNM. Leilani Baker 6 (Karlee Maes 4) 24’
2. UNM. Natalie DeGagne 2 (unassisted) 66’
3. UNM. Ellie Robinson 1 (Jadyn Edwards 3) 69’
4. UNM. Skye McMillon 1 (Jaelyn Hendren 1) 77’

Stats:
Shots: UNM 27, NEV 16
SOG: UNM 16, NEV 2
Corners: UNM 6, NEV 1
Saves: UNM 2 (Davis 2, Droitsch 0), NEV 12 (Stovall 11, Team 1)
Fouls: UNM 5, NEV 8