Lobos Draw with Bulldogs

FRESNO, Calif.— New Mexico picked up its second point of the conference season on Sunday after a scoreless and physical draw at Fresno State.

The Lobos were tested early with Kennedy Brown and Alli Davis needing to be subbed for due to injury in addition to a yellow card issued to Brynn Boeyink all within the first six minutes of play.

The Lobos took eight shots with three on goal, and held an 8-3 advantage in shots and a 3-0 advantage in shots on goal with Natalie DeGagne registering a team-high three shots and one on goal in the first 45 minutes. On the day, UNM outshot FS 14-7, putting four on frame, compared to two for the Bulldogs, with the Lobos also having the edge in corner kicks 7-5.

UNM (3-1-4, 0-0-2 MW) had the first good opportunity in the eighth minute as DeGagne’s shot went off target to the right of the goal. Margaux Clarke had another opportunity in the 17^th minute, getting past her defender with the Bulldog keeper drawn out of position, but her shot went left of the near post, and DeGagne’s second attempt forced the Fresno State goalkeeper to make a diving save to her left. Courtney Fernau had a good look in the 39^th minute as well, going low left with the Fresno State goalkeeper diving to make the save.

Ellie Robinson sent a ball into the box at the start of the 50^th minute from outside of the right side of the 18-yard box, but was unable to connect with a Lobo to thwart the chance. Paris Dalton fired a shot from distance in the 54^th minute that was on target but sailed inches over the top of the net and Alysa Whelchel  had her shot blocked in the 59^th minute.

Fresno State didn’t have its first shot on goal until the 79^th minute with Mariah Scott easily able to corral the shot. The Bulldogs had their second shot on goal in the 85^th minute as Scott dove to her right for the save.

UNM had two final chances in the closing minutes as Nicole Anderson had a clean shot in the 89^th minute that veered to the left of the goal and another shot with 47 seconds remaining that was right at the Bulldog goalie for the final chance of the contest. The freshman led the Lobos with two shots on goal in her first start, with DeGagne and Fernau accounting for the other two. In total, UNM had five corner kicks in the final 45 and outshot Fresno State 6-4.

Scott handled the two shots she faced between the posts for her first clean sheet as a Lobo and the third as a team.

Up next, the Lobos resume conference play at home against Colorado College on Thursday, Sept. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Air Force on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1:30 p.m., both on the Mountain West Network.

POSTMATCH NOTES
-Sunday’s result was the fourth tie in the series with Fresno State and the second occurring in Fresno.
-UNM is unbeaten in its last seven meetings with Fresno State (4-0-3) and is 5-1-3 against the Bulldogs under Coach Heather Dyche.
-It was the third time shutting out the Bulldogs in the series.
-UNM led its opponent in shots for the sixth time this season and in shots on goal for the fourth time.
-Nicole Anderson made her first collegiate start as the Lobos used their seventh different lineup this season.
– Five different Lobos tallied multiple shots with Natalie DeGagne and Nicole Anderson leading with three and Alysa Whelchel, Paris Dalton and Margaux Clarke recording two each.