ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.— The Lobos picked up three critical points Sunday to stay tied for third in the conference standings, scoring two second half goals to defeat UNLV 2-0.
Nicole Anderson put the Lobos on the board in the 66th minute off of an assist from her sister Allie Anderson, and a set piece provided the second goal with Fiona Jenkins assisting on Alysa Whelchel’s goal in the 82nd minute.
For N. Anderson, it was her team-high eighth goal of the season with A. Anderson’s second assist, and Whelchel’s second goal of the season and Jenkins’ second assist.
Alyson Campbell finished with five saves with Callie Droitsch entering for the final five minutes and recording a save for the combined shutout, the third shutout of the season for the Lobos.
UNM had the edge in overall shots 15-11 but trailed in the shots on goal with UNLV having a 6-4 edge.
The Lobos had an early corner kick 1:58 in that after Jenkins missed connecting with a Lobo in the box, the ball remained in the Lobo attacking third with Presley Devey just missing on a header that went wide right.
Campbell made four saves in the first 21 minutes, while UNM’s first two shots were wide and Jenkins came inches from scoring in the 24th minute, taking a shot from outside the 18-yard box that hit off the left of the crossbar.
Each team took five shots in the first half with UNLV taking four on goal in the scoreless half.
UNM’s second chance at breaking the tie came on a free kick in the 61st minute after Kennedy Brown had a point blank look at the front of the net that was saved by the UNLV keeper after the ball bounced in front of the goal.
After her initial entry in to the box from the far side of the field was blocked, A. Anderson delivered at the ball to the middle of the box where an open N. Anderson was waiting, who buried it low left for the goal.
Campbell set up the second goal, collecting an entry into the box by UNLV before the Rebel could get a foot on it, and threw it ahead to an open Whelchel who pushed it up the field before she was fouled by UNLV. A set piece at 81:31 gave UNM the 2-0 lead after Jenkins found Whelchel alone on the right side, who shot it high into the back of the net.
The Rebels took four more shots in the match with Droitsch punching the ball over the net following a shot from distance towards the top left corner in the 88th minute to preserve the shutout.
UNM outshot UNLV 10-6 in the final 45 minutes, putting four on goal.
The Lobos improve to 7-4-3 on the season, 4-2-1 in conference with three MW matches remaining.