ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- Alejandra Puerto's goal just 3:29 into the game was all New Mexico needed, as the senior led UNM to a key 1-0 victory over Wyoming on Senior Night. The win allowed UNM to keep pace with the top of the Mountain West.
Puerto's goal was set up on a perfect lead pass from Alysa Whelchel off of a Nicole Anderson slide tackle for the steal, who sent Puerto through on net. Facing a little bit of pressure from a defender, she calmly finished into the far side netting for her team-leading eighth goal of the season.
The goal was the earliest in a game for Puerto, who was one of two seniors honored, along with Mercedes Morris. Both started, and it was just Puerto's second start of the year.
From there, it was all UNM's defense, which was outshot 19-5 on the night, but UNM forced mostly shots from outside the 18. The Lobo defense was suffocating for most of the night, blocking seven shots, including six in the second half.
Anything that got through was easily handled by keeper Alyson Campbell, who recorded her fourth shutout of the season. On the night, she had six saves.
The two best opportunities for Wyoming came once in each half. In the first half, Payton Hunt got loose about 10 yards out, but Kennedy Brown blocked her shot, and the ball was subsequently cleared away.
In the second half, a long shot from the 18 by Alyssa Glover couldn't dip fast enough, ringing off the crossbar and bouncing over the bar. UNM had a chance for a 2-0 lead, but Haley Bartel saved Anderson's shot into the lower corner.
UNM was awarded a penalty in the second half when Puerto was ruled to have been fouled in the box, but upon video review, the call was reversed.
The Lobos head to UNLV on Sunday with a chance to clinch a conference tournament berth before finishing the season on Thursday, Oct. 30, at San Diego State.