LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico Lobos knocked and knocked on the Aggie door for an entire half before they got the answer they were looking for. Senior Madisyn Olguin found the back of the net for the match’s only goal in the 47^th minute to give UNM the Rio Grande Rivalry victory at New Mexico State. Wednesday’s result also marked the first win of the Heather Dyche era of UNM Women’s Soccer.

Coach Dyche’s Lobos overwhelmed their opponent on the final stat sheet, holding massive advantages in shots (16-5), shots on goal (6-1) and corner kicks (7-0).

Less than 90 seconds into the half, and the Lobos were already on a deep attacking run. Maddie Irwin brought down a pass, flicked the ball to herself over a defender, before collecting for a shot attempt. A pair of Aggie defenders converged on her as the ball trickled away from the pile. Olguin collected the ball ahead of the pack and blasted a goal past NMSU keeper Rian Nials.

Olguin nearly created a scoring opportunity for a second Lobo goal just minutes later. The forward beat a defender on the right side of the box and drew Nials out from goal. She fed a pass to her left to Dylann O’Connor who unleashed a right-footed shot. Nials had recovered enough towards the pipes to redirect the shot.

New Mexico controlled the game from the first whistle. The Lobos possessed the ball and connected passes time and time again as they continually advanced into Aggie territory. Their control of the game led to good early chances. Claire Lynch nearly snuck one past the goalkeeper at the near post in the 12^th minute. Maddie Irwin also put a pair of shots on frame as part of her four-shot first half.

The Lobo backline was solid in the first 45 minutes as Cassie Ulrich only faced two shots without needing to make a save on either. UNM’s backend prevented a single Aggie corner in the first half on their way to an entire match of no corner kicks conceded.

SCORING SUMMARY

New Mexico: (46:14) Madisyn Olguin (unassisted)

QUOTES

“I thought Maddie’s (Olguin) goal was outstanding. It was a good, composed finish for her. On the other end I thought we were a lot more organized defensively than we have been in previous matches.”

– Head coach Heather Dyche on team’s performance

“It feels really good but honestly the credit goes to them (the team). They put in a lot of hard work to get this result and to give us momentum going forward.”

– Head coach Heather Dyche on her first collegiate win

“We played a lot of bodies today because it was incredibly hot out there. I think the fact we used our depth and still got a result was big for us. Everyone that came on for us today really brought energy to the match.”

– Head coach Heather Dyche on team’s depth

STARTERS

New Mexico: Ulrich (GK), Munoz, Chavez, Edemann, Coonrod, Webster, Irwin, Lynch, Guice, O’Connor and Olguin.

New Mexico State: Nials(GK), Baker, Galicia, Milavec, Hart, Rienks, Campbell, Rivera, Campbell, Ruiz and Stockton

NOTES

• The Lobos claimed their fifth victory in five matches against the NMSU Women’s Soccer program.
• Madisyn Olguin scored her first official goal of the season. The senior forward also scored in UNM’s exhibition win over Fort Lewis College.
• Senior goalkeeper Cassie Ulrich picked up the shutout in the win. It was her first of the season and 14^th of her career.
• The victory was the first college win for first-year UNM head coach Heather Dyche.
• New Mexico dominated the stat sheet in the first half. Midfielder Maddie Irwin (four shots, two on goal) outshot New Mexico State (two shots, none on goal) by herself.

NEXT UP

New Mexico will head the other direction on Interstate 25 from Albuquerque this weekend. The Lobos will travel north to Colorado for a Sunday afternoon meeting with the Colorado Buffaloes at 1 p.m. (MST) in Boulder.