Lobos Falter in Conference Opener to UNLV
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— Uncharacteristic miscues led to the Lobos dropping their conference opener 3-0 on Thursday night with UNLV scoring two goals in the first half and converting on a penalty kick minutes into the second half.
UNM took a season-high 26 shots in the contest compared to seven for UNLV with a 6-4 edge in shots on goal, but it was the Rebels who took advantage of their chances with two early goals to put the match away.
A save by Callie Droitsch in the 21st minute led to the Lobo keeper kicking the ball towards Taryn Robles with UNLV pressuring, but the ball was too far in front and as a result, intercepted by the Rebel, who passed it to an open teammate in front of the net, who then slid it past Droitsch in the 22nd minute. Another turnover by the Lobo defense, where the Lobos passed the ball backwards towards their own near sideline, was stolen by a Rebel and created a breakaway goal for UNLV seconds into the 29th minute to make it 2-0.
The Lobos had a couple of chances to get one back, starting with a header by Logan Nicholson on a feed into the box by Nicole Anderson in the 40th minute that went inches wide left of the goal post, and again on a free kick by Nicholson in the 42nd minute that was saved by the UNLV keeper diving to her left and getting a hand on it.
UNM took a total of 13 shots in the first 45 minutes, one of which was on frame, to UNLV’s four shots with three on goal.
A UNLV penalty kick at the 46:29 mark after a foul in the box had the Rebel going low left, and while Droitsch guessed correctly, it was past her outstretched diving hand.
UNM continued to create chances, but like in the first half, was unable to covert as a cross by Anderson to Alejandra Puerto in the front of the box was kick saved by the UNLV keeper in the 51st minute, followed by a blocked shot for Natalie DeGagne (50:08) and another save on a Puerto shot (51:40).
Alysa Whelchel had an open look in the middle of the box seconds shy of the 69-minute mark, but chipped it just high of the net and Robles received a pass from DeGagne with Robles sending a shot on target to the top middle of the goal with 75:16 showing on the clock, with the Rebel keeper able to deflect the ball out of play.
Margaux Clarke had a shot saved in the 79th minute and had an unfortunate break in the 81st minute as the ball trickled towards the goal line after skipping past the goalkeeper but kicked away from the goal at the last second by a UNLV defender. A Presley Devey shot was blocked in the 82nd minute and a final shot taken by Kenzie Fotiades went wide right in the 85th minute for the final opportunity by either team.
UNM matched its first half shot output in the final 45 minutes, while UNLV took just three, with the Lobos finishing with a 5-1 margin in shots on goal. DeGagne, Devey and Nicholson all took four shots with Clarke and Puerto sharing the team high in shots on goal with two.
The Lobos (4-2-2, 0-1-0) remain at home for their next match, hosting Nevada on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.