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Evansville, Ind.- The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team defeated Evansville today by a score of 3-2. The Lobos went a perfect 2-0 this weekend with victories over 2001 NCAA Tournament teams Oakland and Evansville.

UE got on the board in the first minute of play off an Ashley Sandefur goal, but UNM returned fire before the half was over. In the 38th minute junior transfer Abbie Partch (Albuquerque, N.M.) sent a long ball over the head of the Purple Ace defense which was collected by Laura Hafner (Katy, Texas). Hafner was able to get in close and score the first Lobo goal.

The remainder of the first half was scoreless as UNM stifled much of the UE offense and maintained stability on defense, thanks in part to anchor Clare Pollock (West Vancouver, B.C.) who oversaw the young UNM marking backs Eryn Paetz (San Pedro, Calif.) and Kelli Rendell (Centennial, Colo.) as well as stopper Marissa McBride (Denver, Colo.).

Eight minutes into the second half, Marte Dolva (Geilo, Norway) was up to her usual tricks. The junior forward was able to dribble past a series of UE defenders and slip the ball past Evansville keeper Katie Howard to make the score 2-1 in Lobo favor. UNM midfielder Erchen Theys (Langdorp, Belgium) posted the final mark of the game at the 72:04 mark after a combination with LeAnne Hendren and Abbie Partch reached her foot. Theys rifled a 25-yard left-footed shot that was destined for net.

Evansville would register the final goal of the game in the 82nd minute on a counter-attack play. Tracye Burch picked up the two points and Kelly D'Amico recorded the UE assist.

The Lobos finished the tournament in second place behind Kansas on the basis of goal differential (Kansas +3 and UNM +2). Erchen Theys was deemed the ProRehab Aces Soccer Classic Offensive MVP with her two-goal performance. All-Tournament representation from New Mexico included sophomore midfielder Rachael Addison (Tyler, Texas), junior midfielder Erchen Theys, and junior midfielder Abbie Partch (Albuquerque, N.M.).

"It was a hard-fought game, " said head coach Kit Vela. "Evansville is an experienced team with players who have a number of wins under their belts."

"We had a complete team effort tonight. A number of our players had fantastic games and yet again our defense was solid, " said Vela.

The Lobos improved to 5-3-0 while Evansville dropped to 1-5-1. Next up, the Lobos travel to Alabama for a pair of games against No. 10 Auburn on Sept. 27 and Troy State on Sept. 29.

Lobos Women's Soccer

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