UNM women’s soccer earns first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (BVM) — For the first time in a decade, the New Mexico women’s soccer team is headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Lobos defeated San Diego State 3-2 in overtime Saturday night to capture the Mountain West Conference regular-season title and secure their first national tournament berth since 2011.
Junior Jadyn Edwards’ second goal of the night was the golden goal, coming in the 96th minute to give UNM the championship victory.
95' Jadyn Edwards to win it in overtime. The New Mexico Lobos are your Mountain West Regular Season Champions.#GoLobos pic.twitter.com/NAPzlKQJke
— Lobo Women's Soccer (@UNMLoboWSoccer) April 18, 2021
“I just felt like if we brought the energy during overtime, we could shift the balance” UNM head coach Heather Dyche said in a postgame interview. “Everyone was relentless tonight, and I feel like we ran them down a little bit. I have never been a part of a game like this. There are no words.”
The Lobos’ COVID-delayed spring season has been a short one — they’ve only played 11 matches — but with a record of 10-1 it’s been perhaps the most successful one. UNM went 12-3-5 back in the fall of 2010 when it reached the NCAA tourney despite losing the Mountain West Conference tournament title match. The Lbos then won the tourney the following season to make back-to-back trips to nationals in 2011.
UNM draws Navy (4-4-2) for its first-round nationals match which will take place April 27 at the Gillette Soccer Complex in Wilson, North Carolina. The entirety of this year’s tourney will be held in North Carolina.
