UNM Tops Texas Tech 2-1 In Final Match of Miner Classic

Lobos outshoot Red Raiders 21-9 for the win.

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Sept. 16, 2002

EL PASO, Texas - The University of New Mexico women's soccer team edged Texas Tech this evening by a score of 2-1 at University Field in El Paso, Texas. The Lobos fought through extremely windy conditions to pull off a crucial on-the-road win that leaves them at 3-3-0 on the season.

It was UNM seniors Linda Melendres (Albuquerque, N.M.) and Michelle Nowfel (Littleton, Colo.) who combined for all of the Lobo scoring power. Melendres was the first to get New Mexico on the scoreboard after her 40-yard shot slipped under Red Raider keeper, Beth Lippert. No more than three minutes later, substitute forward Michelle Nowfel made a bent run that curved behind the TTU defense and received a through ball from Michelle Longmire (Los Alamos, N.M.). Nowfel took a low hard shot from the outside that flew by a startled Lippert.

Texas Tech's only goal of the game came early in the second half at the 52:39 mark after MariahGutknecht capitalized on a Lobo misclearance. Shortly after the Red Raider goal, UNM had a chance to solidify the lead when Michelle Longmire was taken down in the box and a penalty kick was awarded to the Lobos. Junior Erchen Theys (Langdorp, Belgium) stepped up to take the kick, but her shot went soaring over the crossbar.

New Mexico outshot TTU 21-9 and registered nine shots between the posts. Linda Melendres and Marte Dolva (Geilo, Norway) combined for almost a third of the Lobo shots, recording three a piece.

"We fought hard the entire game even though the conditions were far from perfect, " said head coach Kit Vela."That's something positive we can take away from this game."

"We're looking forward to next weekend's games against Oakland and Evansville. It's a big time tournament for us and we want to do well against two of last year's NCAA Tournament teams," stated Vela

The Lobos travel to Evansville, Ind. next weekend for a Sept. 19 game against Oakland and a match-up with host team Evansville on Sept. 21.