by Kenn Rodriguez
Daily Lobo
The UNM women's soccer team finished its final weekend of regular season play with a close win on the road and a heartbreaking loss at home.
The Lobos, who finished the season with a 10-7-1 mark, 3-2-1 in the Mountain West Conference, next play at the MWC Championships in Provo, Utah Nov. 6-9.
Air Force 1, UNM 0
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The Lobos went 35 minutes of the second half without allowing a shot.
But UNM's defensive backfield lapsed in the 76th minute and Air Force's Elaine Tatarek took a pass from Mary Cholko on a break-away to score the game-winner.
The Falcons (6-11-0, 1-4-0) then packed their side of the field with as many as nine defenders and held on for their first conference win of the season.
Air Force controlled play for the first 20 minutes of the game as UNM looked very unorganized.
The Lobos picked up their play in the final 25 minutes of the first half, getting a few chances to score.
In the second half, UNM continued playing well, controlling the pace of play and forcing the Falcons to play on their end of the field for muc of the half. Despite displaying dominance, the Lobos snuffed out many scoring opportunities by playing impatiently, lofting balls into the maw of the Air Force defense ratehr than building its opportunities.
Senior midfielder Michelle Longmire came closest to scoring, shooting one shot just over the crossbar and another off the post.
The Lobos outshot the Falcons 15-11 for the game and had more corner kicks, eight to Air Force's three. Sophomore goalkeeper Kristen Winters was only forced to make three saves - all in the first half. Air Force only had one of its three shots go on goal in the second half.
UNM 1, Wyoming 0
The Lobos won on a penalty kick by junior Abbie Partch in the 84th minute after the Cowgirls were called for a foul in the penalty box.
Wyoming (4-11-1, 0-5), well rested after a week-long break, staved off the Lobos in the first half. Cowgirl goalkeeper Lori Scheider recorded six saves in the first period - 10 for the game.
UNM's Winters got less of a workout, recording only four saves to earn her eighth shutout of the season. The Lobo defense backed Winters with an organized effort.
On offense, UNM peppered the Cowgirls with 18 shots - 10 in the first half as they took the game to Wyoming. Junior forward Marte Dolva, who had only one shot against Air Force, had six shots. Sophomore midfielder Rachael Addison had four.
