Lobos Extend Win Streak with Another Clean Sheet Against San Diego
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Early goals seem to be the magic formula for the Lobos as Presley Devey scored in the sixth minute for the game-winner in the 1-0 New Mexico win over San Diego on Sunday. It is the second clean sheet in the last three matches for UNM and the third-straight win for UNM.
In addition, it was the earliest goal scored by the Lobos this season, occurring at the 5:22 mark, faster than Alysa Whelchel’s goal at 5:48 in the Lobos’ 3-1 win against Oregon and Devey’s game-winner at 10:52 against UC Riverside.
“I think Sunday games are incredibly difficult and I think last year we learned a lot of hard lessons in late moments,” commented head coach Heather Dyche. “I think this year, we’ve seen people taking that on them. The communication is better, the defensive organization is better and then players like Presley know it’s their job to score. She’s been doing that every game and she’s been approaching it really professionally instead of letting it be emotional, which is really good.”
The Lobos were aggressive with two good looks in the first minute with Nicole Anderson and Devey’s shots veering off target.
A free kick off a foul on Anderson set up the Devey goal in the sixth minute as Kennedy Brown initiated the restart with a pass to Natalie DeGagne who found an unmarked Devey, who went low left past the outstretched hand of the USD goalie. It is the third-straight match with a goal (as well as game-winning goal) for Devey and the fourth match this season with a point and third consecutive match with an assist for DeGagne.
Anderson had an opportunity in the 19th minute, getting free in the box and settling the ball, but her shot wide right of the goal.
USD’s first shot didn’t occur until the 23:03 point of the contest with Callie Droitsch making the save, and a header by USD in the 26th minute off of a corner kick were the Toreros’ best chances at that point, but the ball was off target to the left. San Diego took three shots in the first half, one of which was on goal, compared to five for UNM with two on goal.
Ellie Robinson had a step on her Torero defender on the right side in the 33rd minute with the USD keeper getting a hand on the senior’s shot to deflect it away for the final shot of the half by either team.
For the Lobos, Devey and Robinson each accounted for one shot on frame and Devey and Anderson taking two shots each.
UNM’s offensive pressure continued in the early stages of the second half as Devey took the first shot in the 47th minute that went wide left.
Devey had another chance at 61:56 after Courtney Fernau drew a foul in the box, but her penalty shot was dead center and saved by the USD keeper to keep it 1-0.
Fernau was again at the center of another Lobo chance, creating a turnover deep in USD territory and fired off a shot from the top of the 18, which went right towards the USD keeper for the save followed by another shot on goal by Logan Nicholson that was also right at the goalie for the save 25 seconds later. A shot by DeGagne going from outside of the left side of the box soared over the goal in the 77th minute and a shot by Brae Cole a second shy of the 84 minute mark went high for the final Lobo shot of the match.
For USD, the Toreros had an opportunity just after the clock turned to the 79th minute, but Droitsch was able to easily gather it in the box after the Torero pushed it ahead just a little too far. A challenge by Taryn Robles in the 82nd minute thwarted a San Diego opportunity and while it created a corner kick, it amounted to a shot off target and a goal kick. A shot by USD in the 86th minute sailed over the top of the goal to set up another goal kick for the final shot by the Lobo opponent in the contest.
UNM fired off six more shots in the second half compared to two for USD to hold an 11-5 advantage in the match and had a 3-0 edge in shots on frame in the final 45 for a 5-1 advantage in the match.
The Lobos are now 3-1-0 on the season, 3-0 when scoring first and leading at the half and have outshot their opponent in the last three matches. In the last three matches, UNM has outscored opponents 5-1 and outshot them 46-22 and 19-5 in shots on goal.
UNM remains at home to host UC Santa Barbara on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. and UTEP on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.