An eager, energetic crowd of more than 900 came to cheer on the UNM women's soccer team in its home opener against Arizona State University.
Unfortunately the equally energetic Lobos were unable to grab the victory, falling to the 23rd-ranked Sundevils 2-1 at the UNM Soccer Complex.
After coming off a 4-0 loss to the University of Texas, the Lobos, who return only four seniors from last year's team, came out determined to beat up on the Sundevils.
In the 12th minute mark of the first half, Arizona State's Brittany Cooper, a product of Albuquerque's Eldorado High School, got a shot past UNM goalkeeper Kristen Winters to give the Sundevils a 1-0 lead.
Arizona State scored again in the 23rd minute when Temryss Lane slipped a shot passed Winters., giving the Sundevils a 2-0 lead at half time.
UNM's play improved considerably during the second half.
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Junior midfilder Erchen Theys, the Lobos' leading scorer in 2001, got an assist from senior midfielder Michelle Longmier and fired a shot past Arizona State's goalkeeper Kelly Fitzgerald in the 92nd minute to score UNM's only goal.
The Lobo defense played strong in the second half preventing Arizona State from scoring.
The offense picked up the pace as well. Sophomore forward Marte Dolva had a total of three shots, making her the top shot-taker for the second game in a row.
The Lobos made an efficient and gallant effort to score and tie the game, but came up short.
UNM fell to 0-2-0.
After the game Vela expressed her thoughts about the teams success thus far and about the future of their season.
"We've got to play every single game with the same intensity," Vela said.
The Lobos have one of their toughest schedules ever. It includes the longest road trip in the program's history, playing such respected teams as Portland State and UNLV.
"We've got a tough schedule," Vela said. "There's not a team on our schedule that's easy."
On Friday, the Lobos held Texas scoreless for 60 minutes before surrendering 4 goals in the final 30 to fall to the eigth-ranked Longhorns 4-0.
Next weekend, UNM hosts the Lobo Adidas Classic.
The tournament includes the University of Texas at El Paso, the University of Houston and Northern Arizona University
The Lobos play Houston on Friday at 7 p.m. Friday and Northern Arizona on Sunday at 3 p.m.
