ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Lobos know their season will extend past Thursday, and with one match remaining at San Diego State Thursday night, all that’s to be determined is seeding.
UNM currently sits at 8-3-6 overall, 4-1-4 in conference with 16 points and in fourth in the standings. Five spots have been clinched with Utah State third at 18 points, Air Force second at 19 points and Boise State first with 23 points. Colorado State sits one point behind UNM in fifth, San Diego State holds sixth with 13 points, but Fresno State has a chance to take the final spot with 11 points as does Colorado College with 10 points.
The Lobos secured their spot on Sunday afternoon at UNLV following a 2-2 draw, getting goals from Nicole Anderson and Alysa Whelchel to even the match both times.
Historically, UNM is 10-16-9 all-time against SDSU, 4-8-2 on the road with the last win on the road in 2018. UNM is 3-1-1 in its last five matches in San Diego. Coach Heather Dyche is 4-5-2 all-time against SDSU, 2-1-1 on the road.
ALL YOU NEED IS ONE
The Lobos picked up a point at UNLV on Sunday, which is all they needed to clinch a spot in the Mountain West Championship.
All UNM needed was one goal on Thursday night to secure three points with Alejandra Puerto’s goal in the fourth minute holding as the game-winner.
The Lobos were outshot 19-5 in the contest, 6-2 in shots on goal, but a sliding tackle by Nicole Anderson to steal the ball started the Lobo attack, with the ball going directly to Alysa Whelchel. A perfect lead pass from Whelchel up ahead to Puerto allowed the senior to find the back of the net for her team-high eighth goal of the season.
Alyson Campbell and the Lobo defense withstood the Cowgirls for the remainder of the match with Campbell making six saves for her fourth shutout of the season. Of the 19 shots, 11 were taken in the second half, however only two were on target.
UNM is 4-1-0 on the season in one-goal matches, 2-1-0 against MW opponents.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES
The Lobos have surpassed their production from last season, surpassing the 2024 goal total in the win against Grand Canyon on Oct. 9.
The Lobos have scored 33 goals to date with 30 assists, with the Lobos scoring 23 goals with 17 assists last season. The Lobos are averaging 5.65 points per match with UNM averaging 3.5 last season.
In addition, the Lobos have taken more shots this season, averaging 14.65 per match compared to 14.4 last season and 6.59 shots on goal per match compared to 6.1 last season.
UNM has had nine different goal scorers this season, six with multiple goals with Alysa Whelchel (6), Nicole Anderson (8) and Alejandra Puerto (8) surpassing their goal production last season.
Anderson has doubled her point production from a season ago with eight goals and three assists (19 points), Allie Anderson recorded her first collegiate assists this season (3), Kennedy Brown scored her first collegiate goals this season (2), Mercedes Morris has a career-best seven points this season behind a goal and a career-best five assists, Puerto is having her best season as a Lobo with 16 points (8 goals) and Whelchel has surpassed her goal (6) and point total (15) from last season.
WHERE THEY STAND
As a team and individually, the Lobos rank amongst the best in the Mountain West and the NCAA in several statistical categories.
To date, UNM is: tied for 61st in scoring offense (1.94) and tied for 62nd in goal differential (15). In addition, UNM is 65th in assists per match (1.76), tied for 81st in shots per match (14.65), tied for 87th in shots on goal per match (6.59) and tied for 58th in points per match (5.65).
On an individual level, Nicole Anderson and Alejandra Puerto are tied for 80th in goals (8), with Anderson 22nd in shots per match (3.94) and 50th in shots on goal per match (1.69). Fiona Jenkins is 26th in assists (8) and seventh in assists per match (0.62). In net, Alyson Campbell is 31st in save percentage (.841), 88th in saves per match (4.42) and 90th in goals against average (.985).
UNM is second in the MW in points (96), goals (33), goals per match (1.94), and goal differential (15), as well as second in assists (30) and tied for second in shutouts (7).
Puerto and Anderson are tied for fourth in the MW in goals (8) with Alysa Whelchel tied for sixth (6). Mercedes Morris is tied for fourth in assists (5).
DEFENDERS GO THE DISTANCE
The Lobo defense has been a display of stamina, with six defenders playing the full 90 minutes multiple times this season.
Ashley Moody has played played 90 minutes in 13 matches (including the last 10 for Moody), Morgan Juran in 12 matches and Macie Harris in five. In addition, Allie Anderson and Fiona Jenkins in eight matches, and Kennedy Brown has played 90 in 15 matches this season.
Juran (1378) and Brown (1500) have played in 90% of the minutes, with Brown playing in over 98% of the minutes.
ABOUT THE OPPONENT
San Diego State enters the match 7-4-6 overall, 3-2-4 in the conference and is 2-2-1 in its last five matches. The Aztecs had similar results against MW opponents as the Lobos, beating Wyoming 1-0 in their last match, lost 2-1 to Boise State and tied 2-2 with UNLV.
The Aztecs have scored 25 goals this season, led by Victoria Miller’s five goals and Katie Senn’s eight assists. Nine different players have scored a goal, with eight with multiple goals. Of the 25 goals, 14 have been scored in the second half. SDSU has taken 227 shots, outshooting opponents 113-103 in the first half, 114-104 in the second half. The Aztecs are outshooting opponents 99-84 in shots on goal.
In net, Kailey Carlen has started all 17 matches and allowed 22 goals with 60 saves, recording six shutouts, two in conference. Of the 22 goals allowed, 13 have been scored in the first half.