Albuquerque, N.M. - The University of New Mexico dropped its first conference game of the season tonight to MWC rival BYU at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Cougars managed to top the Lobos with only five minutes remaining in the second half for the 3-2 win. Goalkeeper Kristen Winters (Lakewood, Colo.) had seven saves and played valiantly in goal for the Lobos, shutting down a number of scoring opportunities.

Almost 25 minutes went by without a score, as both teams battled in the air and on the ground to gain possession. UNM was able to capitalize on a chance at the 26:46 mark when junior Marte Dolva (Geilo, Norway) dribbled down the right side of the field, crossed the ball into the box and found the head of fellow classmate Erchen Theys (Langdorp, Belgium). Theys put the ball low in the right side of the net with purpose, leaving BYU keeper Mandy Gott no chance for the save.

Five minutes later, a call in the UNM box resulted in a BYU penalty kick. Junior Aleisha Cramer Rose stepped up to take the kick for the Cougars and calmly put the ball over the head of Winters to make the score 1-1.

At the the 38:46 mark, BYU would take the lead off of a 25-yard free kick from Cramer Rose. The junior lofted the ball over the head of Winters, for her second goal of the night.

The second half saw UNM dominate and create numerous scoring chances. Michelle Longmire (Los Alamos, N.M.) ran tirelessly up and down the right side of the field, taking on Cougar defenders at every opportunity. Longmire sent a number of quality crosses into the box, but UNM was unable to connect on any.

With only eight minutes left in the match, the Lobos equalized after sophomore Rachael Addison ( Tyler, Texas) collected her own rebounded shot for the second New Mexico goal of the game.

UNM and BYU were tied at this point with only minutes left before the final whistle. The Lobos fought hard to keep the Cougars out of their end and maintain composure in the defensive third.

At the 85:08 mark, Jeni Viernes cruised down the left sideline with a UNM defender hot on her tracks. The senior midfielder crossed the ball to a waiting Brooke Bowman who placed a shot high in the back of the net from five-yards out to give the Cougars the 3-2 win.

New Mexico returns to action at the UNM Soccer Complex on Sunday, Oct 20 at 12 p.m. when it takes on MWC leader, Utah.

Lobos Women's Soccer

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