Travel-Savvy Team Heads to California

And now for the California portion of the New Mexico women’s soccer team’s minitour of America.

The Lobos, having been to Texas (twice), Nebraska, Georgia and Florida, play at the UC Riverside Tournament tonight and Sunday.

This trip marks the end of the nonconference schedule.

New Mexico coach Kit Vela says the schedule was built so that her team could “learn lessons that would prepare us for conference. I think every game has done that tenfold.”

The Lobos (4- 4-1) clearly learned how to pack their bags. They’ve played only twice at home, including Sunday’s double-overtime win over New Mexico State.

“You have to be willing to go outside your comfort zone,” Vela says. “And I think all the traveling we’ve done has forced us to do that. Hopefully all the lessons we’ve learned will build up to next Friday.”

That’s Sept. 28, when UNM opens the Mountain West Conference season at home — one of only five home matches this year — against Boise State. UNM is the preseason MWC favorite.

But the Lobos first must concern themselves with the Highlanders of UC Riverside (4-3-2) today and UC Davis (4-3-1) on Sunday.

“These teams this weekend are very, very good,” Vela says. “They’ll pose other challenges for us, but I think we’re up to the challenge.”

Vela says having faced difficult teams and various styles of play has its rewards.

“It helps us, yes in the RPI, but it also helps us when we start conference — sort of been there, done that. We’ve played great competition. We’re ready for anything.”