Women's Soccer: UNM Tops Oakland 1-0 - University of New Mexico Official Athletic Site

Women's Soccer: UNM Tops Oakland 1-0

Junior Erchen Theys

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Evansville, Ind- The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team defeated Oakland by a score of 1-0 in the first match of the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic. The Lobos were able to carry over their winning momentum from the 2-1 defeat of Texas Tech on Sept. 19 to improve their record to 4-3-0. Junior midfielder Erchen Theys (Langdorp, Belgium) netted the only Lobo goal in the 43rd minute to secure the win and give New Mexico the best start to its season since 1997 when the Lobos achieved a 6-1 record.

Right from the whistle, UNM was able to adapt to Oakland’s direct style of play and control the continuous service of long balls into its defensive third. The Lobos were also able to keep Golden Grizzly shooting to a minimum throughout the game, allowing only one shot on goal and seven shots in total.

On the other end of the field, Oakland stuggled to keep the Lobo attack under wraps, conceding ten shots and three between the pipes. With two minutes left in the first half, Erchen Theys served up a long ball from almost 20 yards out that was intended to be a cross, but instead found the back of the Oakland net. The tally is Theys’ third of the year and brings her within one point of current leader Marte Dolva who has seven.

Although only being called on once to make a save, goalkeeper Kristen Winters (Lakewood, Colo.) was kept on her toes organizing and directing a young New Mexico defensive unit that kept opponent shots-on-goal to the fewest yet this season.

Head coach Kit Vela deemed the game a defensive success from start to finish.

“This was our most complete game defensively. Clare Pollock played great at sweeper. Marissa McBride was solid in the stopper position and outside backs, Eryn Paetz and Deidre Devault were composed and strong,” said Vela.

The Lobos will look to go 2-0 on the weekend in the finale of the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic on Saturday, Sept. 21 when they face host team Evansville at 2 p.m.