Back-and-Forth Battle Ends in Draw at UNLV
LAS VEGAS, Nev.— A Brynn Boeyink goal in the 84th minute closed a back-and-forth MW battle between the Lobos and the Rebels on Sunday, with both teams picking up a point in the 3-3 draw.
UNM had three different goal scorers in the contest, with Sophia Roberts opening the scoring in the 18th minute, Paris Dalton scoring on a free kick in the 58th minute and the aforementioned Boeyink goal to level the match late.
Nicole Anderson led with two assists in the contest, aiding on the first and third goals, while Mercedes Morris was also credited with an assist on the third goal after getting a head on Anderson’s cross and directing it to a wide-open Boeyink. Anderson is the first Lobo to record two assists in a match this season, with Morris the last Lobo to do so back on Aug. 21, 2022.
UNM opened the scoring in the 18th minute as Anderson sent a shot towards the goal with Roberts connecting to put it in the back of the net. Boeyink started the attack, kicking the ball down the field with Anderson tracking it down on the near sideline of the field, as the UNLV goalkeeper came out as the last line of defense. Anderson dribbled past her, firing towards the goal with the ball deflecting off of a UNLV player near the goal line, but Roberts slid to redirect the ball into the net for her third goal of the season.
UNLV tied it in the 21st minute and soccer continued to prove to be a game of inches as the Lobos were aided twice by the crossbar and post after UNLV hit the frame in the 32nd and 37th minutes to keep the match level at one at the break.
The Rebels had the shot advantage of 13-8 in the first half, although UNM had the shots on goal edge at 4-3.
UNM put two shots on goal early on in the second half with Dalton and Boeyink putting it on frame in the 46th and 53rd minutes, respectively, and the Lobos continued to put pressure on the Rebels, creating a go-ahead goal in the 58th minute.
Dalton gave UNM the 2-1 lead on a free kick, going top left for the goal, her second of the season. The Lobo had a chance to add another goal on a free kick in the 73rd minute that hit the crossbar.
Down to 10 players following two yellow cards in the 74th minute, UNLV tied it on a penalty kick in the 81st minute and after Anderson’s shot in the 81st minute hit the far post, the Rebels took the lead on another penalty kick in the 83rd minute following a handball in the box.
However, Anderson led the attack a little over a minute later, going down the near sideline and delivering a ball into the box from outside of the 18-yard box, finding Morris in front of the net, with the Lobo sophomore flipping it to Boeyink, who one-timed it into the back of the net.
It was the second goal of the season for Boeyink, the first assist of the season for Morris and the third assist of the season for Anderson.
The Lobos were able to get off two more shots with Anderson firing wide left in the 88th minute and Presley Devey taking one final shot on goal as the final seconds ticked down for the 3-3 final.
UNM put a total of nine shots on goal and took a total of 18 shots in the match, led by two shots on goal by Boeyink and Dalton. Dalton finished with a career-high five shots in the match.
Following Sunday’s result, the Lobos stand at 5-4-5 overall, 2-3-3 in conference and remain tied with UNLV in the conference standings with nine points for the sixth spot. UNM’s next match is Thursday, Oct. 19 at home against Colorado State, with the Rams sitting with 14 points at 4-2-2.