Lobos Score Twice in Second Half to Defeat Falcons
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— New Mexico scored twice in a span of six minutes in the final 20 minutes of Sunday’s Mountain West contest against Air Force behind goals from two more first-time goal scorers this season to emerge with the 2-1 victory.
Entering the second half trailing 1-0, UNM found the equalizer in the 70th minute on a Nicole Anderson assist to Sophia Roberts, and the momentum continued to be with the Lobos as Paris Dalton scored in the 76th minute for her first goal of the season. Both Anderson and Roberts tallied their first points of the season on the goal, while Dalton tallied her first career goal.
The chances started early for the Lobos as UNM had two quick shots on goal, both by Presley Devey in the first four minutes, but both right at the goalkeeper.
Air Force got on the board in the 35th minute as a streaking Falcon got a foot on a cross from inside the 18-yard box and the left corner of the field, putting it past Alli Davis.
Both teams had three shots on goal in the first 45 minutes with Air Force taking 11 shots to five for UNM.
Margaux Clarke was close to getting the Lobos on the board in the 54th minute with her close-range shot hitting the crossbar, as did Natalie DeGagne with a point-blank look at the start of the 67th minute with the Air Force keeper getting a glove on it to make the save.
The Lobos broke through three minutes later as Anderson delivered a pass to the middle of the 18-yard box, where a streaking Roberts buried it to the back of the net for her first goal of the season and second of her career.
A little more than six minutes later, a free kick provided the go-ahead opportunity as Dalton fired a shot on goal towards the top right of the goal, just above the outstretched Air Force goalie’s glove and below the crossbar, finding the back of the net for the 2-1 Lobo lead.
Air Force had one final chance off of a free kick with 13 seconds remaining, but Alli Davis was there to catch the ball out of midair as time expired. Davis finished with three saves in the match
UNM controlled the second half with a 6-2 advantage in shots and a 4-1 edge in shots on goal, finishing with a 7-4 overall advantage. Devey led with a match-high three shots on goal and all three shots she took on target. For Dalton and Roberts, their goals were the only shot attempt in the match.
Following Sunday’s result, the Lobos are 4-2-4 overall, 1-1-2 in conference and have five points through the first two weeks of conference play. UNM remains at home for its next two matches to host Utah State on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and Boise State on Sunday at 12:30 p.m.