WILSON, N.C. For the first time in state history, a team from New Mexico has advanced in the women’s soccer NCAA Tournament. That team is The University of New Mexico Lobos (10-1-1), who edged out Navy 1(4)-1(2) in a penalty shootout thriller on Tuesday in Wilson, North Carolina. Junior Alesia Garcia scored the equalizer in the 71st minute, allowing the Lobos to fight on through two overtimes and a PK shootout. With Emily Johnson in goal, the Lobos took down the Midshipmen (4-4-3) 4-2 in the penalty kicks.
“This was enormous. I am from New Mexico, and I think the state has a storied soccer history with Coach Fishbein, certainly New Mexico United, and without question what the previous staff did before I got here,” said head coach Heather Dyche. “I am a competitive person. I want to win, and I think you can do that with New Mexicans, and I think you can do that at The University of New Mexico. I carry that torch proudly, and I think this team does too. For us to break reco
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The University of New Mexico women’s soccer team celebrates after scoring its second goal in the Mountain West championship game against San Diego State on April 17. UNM won 3-2 in overtime. (Jim Thompson/Journal)
Players wearing New Mexico soccer gear have played in the women’s NCAA Tournament before.
It is just that none of the current players have done so.
New Mexico (10-1), was selected to wear its home colors in Tuesday’s tournament opener against Navy (4-4-2), meaning, in theory, UNM is the higher ranked team. The winner meets No. 4 TCU on Friday.
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The Lobos tournament history has been a brief one: 2010, a 3-0 loss at Notre Dame; 2011, 1-0 loss at No. 2 UCLA, all under a previous regime.
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New Mexico’s Cami Floth leaps into the arms of teammate Alesia Garcia after scoring the Lobos’ first goal during their match Saturday against San Diego State. UNM’s 3-2 overtime victory sends them to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
Jim Thompson/Journal
Jadyn Edwards’ goal five minutes into overtime Saturday is sending the New Mexico women’s soccer team to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011.
The Lobos beat San Diego State 3-2 in the Mountain West Conference final in front of 1,500 fans as the dramatic goal sent most of the New Mexico football team surging onto the UNM Soccer and Track Complex field to celebrate along with the players.