DeGagne and Roberts Score as Lobos Lose Late at Boise State
BOISE, Idaho— Twice UNM responded to tie Thursday night’s match at Boise State, but a goal by the Broncos in the 88th minute left the Lobos without time to answer for the 3-2 defeat.
UNM had two different scorers in the contest with Natalie DeGagne scoring her second goal of the season in the 40th minute to tie the match at one and Sophia Roberts scoring her first goal of the season in the 77th minute to tie the match at two. Presley Devey and Morgan Juran provided the assist on the respective goals, each collecting their second assists of the season and was the second straight match with an assist for Juran.
The Broncos had opportunities all night with 22 shots to UNM’s seven and an 8-3 advantage in shots on goal, but the Lobos were able to not only withstand much of the BSU attack, but also capitalize on the chances they were able to create.
A corner kick by Boise State at the 5:42 mark led to the first chance by either team, with a header going off target to the right of the goal, which was the same case less than two minutes later on another Bronco corner kick, with the header going off target, but this time to the left of the goal.
UNM’s first good look came on a corner kick from the near side of the field at the 10:10 mark of the match, but a red jersey was unable to get on the other end of it and was cleared by the Broncos.
Another corner kick at the 11:53 mark resulted in an empty opportunity, with the Broncos going the length of the field and firing a shot on goal, which was saved by Callie Droitsch. Devey took her first shot 15 minutes into the match, a header in the box which was off target and led to a goal kick.
BSU had taken seven shots in the first 18 minutes compared to one for UNM, with Droitsch making three early saves.
Devey had UNM’s second shot in the 23rd minute, which was the best look for the Lobos to that point, with a throw in by Fiona Jenkins landing at the feet of Alysa Whelchel, who after a pass to DeGagne, the ball got deflected and found its way to Devey, who attempted to poke the ball to the bottom left of the goal, but was just wide.
BSU got on the board in the 28th minute on a shot outside of the box to the top right of the goal with the Lobos getting the equalizer in the 40th minute as Devey sent a cross in from the right side of the field to DeGagne in the middle of the box, who flicked it to the bottom left of the goal.
The home team had a 10-3 advantage in shots and a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal, but UNM was able to score on its one to go into the break all square.
UNM thwarted two chances at the start of the second half as a foul called outside the box on the left side of the field in the 56th minute led to a free kick for BSU with the attempt high over the right corner of the goal. The Broncos had a chance in the 67th minute with a shot blocked by Jenkins that allowed it to slowly roll towards Droitsch, who collected it for the change of possession.
The Broncos went back ahead in the 71st minute on a shot to the upper right corner and again, the Lobos found the equalizer in the 77th minute as Nicole Anderson found Juran running down the right side of the field, who dribbled it just inside the box before crossing it to Roberts, hitting her in perfect stride as Roberts sent it to the back of the net.
UNM’s first two shots on goal in the match resulted in goals, with the third taken by Devey in the 86th minute that was saved by the Bronco keeper.
The Broncos scored their third goal in the 88th minute, and the Lobos ran out of time to create a third goal for the 3-2 final. It was the 11th time in the series that the match has been decided by one goal, with UNM now 7-4 in one-goal finals.
Following Thursday’s results, the Lobos are 5-3-2 on the season, 1-2-0 in conference, and remain on the road to Utah State for a Sunday noon match.