UNM women’s soccer has high expectations

Lobos shoot for NCAA berth as 2019 season kicks off today

There’s a feeling of unfinished business surrounding the New Mexico women’s soccer program.

Although the team shared the 2018 Mountain West regular-season title and reached the conference tournament championship game for a second straight season, “I think we came up short, quite frankly,” Lobos coach Heather Dyche said.

“I want to win every year and you have to figure out a way to get the NCAA Tournament. We kind of feel this season is about redemption and trying to find a way to way to win.”

As the Lobos gear up for tonight’s season opener at home vs. No. 22 Texas Tech, senior goalkeeper

Emily Johnson said the team can’t be satisfied with the success of last season.

“I think we all feel pretty accomplished because we won the regular season, we got rings and we’re all super excited,” she said. “But the main goal is doing that and more, which means going to the (NCAA) Tournament, be at the same collegiate level with the rest of the nation.”

Senior midfielder Jessie Hix, who should be among the MWC player of the year candidates, said last season’s 1-0 loss to San Jose State in the league tournament finale has New Mexico striving for more.

“Getting that close has definitely fueled us, especially two years in a row,” she said. “And only losing by one goal, even more so. In the offseason, our goal was to go into it and get as much out of it as we could.”

The Lobos will have a tough schedule as Dyche set out to challenge the squad in pre-conference play.

After tonight, New Mexico has two road trips to the Pacific Northwest, facing perennial Pac-12 power Washington along with Oregon State, Portland and Portland State. The Lobos also meet the two other MWC cochamps, Boise State and Wyoming on the road. San Jose State will be coming to Albuquerque as New Mexico looks to avenge its tournament loss.

“At the end of every year, we look at where do we want to get better and how to improve,” Dyche said. “This group of upperclassmen, the whole team, wants to compete against the best. If we think we should be an NCAA tournament team, we want to compete against NCAA tournament teams.”

New Mexico has a squad that can do just that. Despite losing high-powered forward Jen Muñoz to graduation and the Club América Femenil in the top Mexican league, as well as flip-throw playmaker Jessica Nelson, the Lobos return the bulk of the lineup that recorded a program-record 45 goals last season.

“I have complete faith in the whole roster,” Dyche said. “We had 13 kids score goals last year, which is incredible. I have complete faith in everyone and I’m excited for some of the younger players who put in the hard work and came ready to play. I’m optimistic that we have great personnel on the field and hope for a little bit of luck to put it all together.”

Top scorers Gwen Maly, joining Hix as an all-conference performer, and Alesia Garcia return after scoring seven goals apiece. Hix, Jill Olguin and Cami Floth each had four goals. Additionally, Leilani Baker signaled she’s ready to take on more finishing duties after notching a hat trick in Wednesday’s final exhibition win (6-0 over CSU Pueblo).

Chuck into the mix a group that enjoys being around each other and is focused on the goals of succeeding on and off the field, and New Mexico could be in for a special season, Dyche said.

“I think the best thing about the team is the culture,” she said. “All the kids are 4.0 students and have a commitment to their education. We have a really high expectation of high character, and this year, the kids understand that and they are all friends off the field. As a coach, it makes you really pleased and you think that will translate to the field. They train hard, and they’re professional in their approach in how they do things. I’m hopeful those two things will be a winning combination.”

The players certainly seem to believe that.

“A lot of teams out there, they don’t necessarily all get along,” Johnson said. “Our team has such good team chemistry. We push ourselves on or off the field, whether it’s school or in training, but once we’re off the field, we’re like a complete family, which is nice.”

Still, the bottom line is to win, Hix said.

“It’s my senior year, and the goal is to make it the NCAA Tournament and win conference again. Of course, the way we see it, I think every year we want to be the first in the conference. That was always our goal. That does fuel our desire for sure.”