Sports - The Daily Lobo

Sports

Goodman sparks Lobos past George Mason

November 22

On a night where sophomore guard Cullen Neal did not play due to an ankle injury and senior guard Hugh Greenwood struggled shooting the ball, the New Mexico men’s basketball team found a new star in the making. Junior college transfer Jordan Goodman scored a career-high 19 points on 7-10 shooting from the floor as UNM defeated the George Mason Patriots 69-58 in the ESPN Puerto Rico Tip-Off. It looked as if Goodman wanted to silence a lot of critics after not producing too much in the first three games.

Sports

Lobos fall to Boston College in season's first setback

Kyle Tomasi | November 21

The New Mexico men’s basketball team faced some of the adversity head coach Craig Neal has talked about on Thursday afternoon against Boston College. Early foul trouble with guard Devon Williams and center Obij Aget forced Neal to play some of the new faces in a 69-65 loss to the Eagles at the ESPN Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

New Mexico women’s soccer head coach Kit Vela answers questions from the media at the Tow Diehm Athletics Center on Aug. 20. UNM announced on Thursday that it will not retain Vela for the 2015 season.

News

Kit Vela's contract will not be renewed

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 21

New Mexico will take on a national party to search for a new women’s soccer head coach after the Lobos announced Kit Vela’s contract won’t be renewed. Vice President for Athletics Paul Krebs released a statement Thursday afternoon thanking Vela and her staff for their efforts, but said it was time to take the team in a new direction. "At this time, we have decided to not renew the contract for Kit Vela,” Krebs said in the release.

New Mexico linebacker Ryan Langford (20) and defensive end William Udeh (92) stop Boise State running back Jay Ajayi (27) during the game on Nov. 8. Colorado State will host New Mexico on Saturday in Fort Collins, Colorado, where the Lobos will look to spoil the No. 22 Rams’ season.

Sports

Lobos hope to play spoiler for Colorado State

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 21

The stakes for New Mexico and Colorado State in Saturday’s game could not be more different. For the Lobos, it’s their final chance to beat a quality opponent and show more signs of an improving football team.

New Mexico redshirt freshman Alice Wright approaches the finish line in the 2014 Women’s NCAA Division 1 Mountain Region Cross Country Championships on Nov. 14. Wright took first place by five seconds with time of 20:51.10.

Sports

Runner overcomes injury to win regional athlete of the year

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 21

Redshirt freshman Alice Wright crossed the Atlantic Ocean to join an elite group of cross country runners in the Mountain Region. Wright, the NCAA Division I Mountain Region Female Athlete of the Year, said she had never seen New Mexico’s campus before hopping on a plane to the Land of Enchantment after finishing high school. “I want to say it’s the best decision that I have ever made,” said Wright, a native of Worcester, England.. “I came here completely alone.

Former Lobo redshirt senior center Ebony Walker holds two basketballs while waiting to start a passing drill during Lobo Howl at the Pit on Oct. 17. Women’s basketball head coach Yvonne Sanchez announced that Walker has been released from the team following her arrest for a domestic dispute earlier this month.

News

Basketball: Walker dismissed after domestic violence arrest

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 20

The New Mexico women’s basketball team will remain without its starting center for the 2014-15 season. Head coach Yvonne Sanchez dismissed Ebony Walker from the team after Walker was charged with domestic violence following an alleged altercation with Tredarius Moten on Nov. 4. “The decision was made with thoughtful consideration for Ebony and our basketball program,” Sanchez said.

Lobo senior guard Hugh Greenwood, 3, attempts to run past Titan redshirt junior guard Alex Harris, 23, during the game against Cal State Fullerton at the Pit on Sunday night. The Lobos are playing three games at a tournament in San Juan, Puerto Rico from Thursday to Sunday.

Sports

Lobos bound for Puerto Rico basketball tourney

Kyle Tomasi | November 19

The New Mexico men’s basketball team will play its first game away from The Pit this week when it faces Boston College in the ESPN Puerto Rico Tip-Off.

New Mexico quarterback Lamar Jordan breaks away during the game against San Diego State on Oct. 10. The Lobos’ offense has shown improvement this season but the defense is still an area of concern.

Sports

Football team continues to improve despite setbacks

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 19

Wins and losses don’t always tell the entire story. New Mexico has been competitive for almost every game this season, but has failed to beat quality teams and is now 3-7 on the year, 1-5 Mountain West.

New Mexico midfielder Niko Hansen reacts after missing a goal attempt during the game against Missouri State on Oct. 12. The Lobos did not receive an at-large bid for this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship and will miss the tournament for the first time since 2008.

Sports

Men's soccer season falls short of NCAAs

Isabel Gonzalez | November 18

The season is over for the New Mexico men’s soccer team. The field for this year’s NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship was announced Monday morning, but with an 11-6-1 overall record, the Lobos did receive an at-large bid.

Lobo redshirt senior right-side hitter Chantale Riddle, center, jumps while keeping the ball in play during the game against Colorado State on Saturday at Johnson Gym. Riddle has been declared Mountain West Player of the Week twice this season.

Sports

Riddle fells another long-standing record

Staff Report | November 17

In the space of just seven days Chantale Riddle has climbed to the top of the record books with two prestigious New Mexico volleyball records. With 18 kills on Nov. 8, Riddle became New Mexico’s all-time leader in points, and on Saturday Riddle ascended to claim sole possession of UNM’s kill throne. Both records were held by Lobo alumnae Tania Gooley.

Lobo junior guard Arthur Edwards, 5, tosses the ball to lobo senior guard Deshawn Delaney, out of frame, during the game against Cal State Fullerton at the Pit on Sunday night. The Lobos defeated Cal State 67-59.

Sports

Turquoise-clad Lobos topple stubborn Titans

Kyle Tomasi | November 17

On a night full of turquoise-accented jerseys the New Mexico men’s basketball team found itself in a dogfight with Cal State Fullerton. The Lobos led almost the entire game, but could never seem to shake the pesky Titans. Five straight free throws by sophomore guard Cullen Neal sealed the game for the Lobos in a 67-59 win on Saturday at the Pit.

Sports

Competitive Lobos still struggle to clinch wins

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 17

New Mexico is starting to gain a reputation for being competitive, but that reputation isn’t backed up by many wins this season. That didn’t change Saturday against Utah State in Logan, Utah. UNM found itself back in the game when redshirt freshman quarterback Lamar Jordan hit wide senior receiver Tyler Duncan for a 59-yard touchdown, cutting Utah State’s lead to just 28-21 with 4:17 left in the game.

New Mexico junior Calli Thackery (184) and freshman Alice Wright (186) run side-by-side at the NCAA Mountain Region Cross Country Championships at UNM North Golf Course on Friday. Wright went on to take first with a time of 20:51.10.

Sports

Men's, women's cross country teams run off to nationals

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 17

Both the men’s and the women’s New Mexico cross country teams will be packing their bags to compete in the national championships. The women were able to breathe easier knowing they were headed to Terre Haute, Indiana, directly following the second-place finish in the 6-kilometer race at the UNM North Golf Course on Friday. The men, on the other hand, did not get an automatic bid to the national stage following their seventh-place 10-kilometer bid at the Mountain Region Championships. Instead, the Lobos earned an at-large bid from the Division I Men’s and Women’s Track and Field Committee on Saturday.

Sports

UNM finds shooting, tops Idaho State in opener

Kyle Tomasi | November 15

Shooting was an issue for the New Mexico men’s basketball team in its first two exhibition games. UNM seemed to have come out of its slump in its season opener against the Idaho State Bengals in a 79-55 win on Friday night.

Lobo junior forward Alexa Chavez, 11, attempts to shoot the ball into the hoop during the exhibition game against Eastern New Mexico University at the Pit on Sunday afternoon. The Lobos will play against UTPA in Chicago this afternoon at 2:30 p.m.

Sports

Women's basketball: Team preps for Windy City game

Liam Cary-Eaves | November 14

The New Mexico women’s basketball team will open its season in Chicago against opponents that will give the Lobos some much needed experience. UNM boarded nine underclassmen on the plane to the Maggie Dixon Classic that begins today against University of Texas Pan America. The Lobos only have one starting senior following Ebony Walker’s suspension. “We’re going to be able to get out there and play three tough games,” head coach Yvonne Sanchez said. “These guys are looking forward to it and so are we.”

Sports

Men's soccer: Conference hopes end for Lobos

Isabel Gonzalez | November 14

A pair of late goals ended the New Mexico men’s soccer team’s Conference USA tournament run in a 2-1 loss to Old Dominion Wednesday. The Lobos traveled to Norfolk, Virginia, to face the tournament host Old Dominion for quarterfinal action. The Lobos had defeated the Monarchs 4-0 earlier this season, and were looking for yet another victory against them. But this time, the tables turned.

Lobo sophomore guard Cullen Neal, right, attempts to pass Adams State junior guard Travante Williams, left, during the basketball exhibition game against Adams State at the Pit on Friday night. The Lobos will be hosting Idaho State tonight at 8 p.m.

Sports

Men's basketball: Injuries plaque team before season opener

Kyle Tomasi | November 14

njuries have been the curse for the men’s basketball team’s preseason, and it may continue into Friday’s season-opener. Head coach Craig Neal said junior college transfer Jordan Goodman will not play against Idaho State. Neal also said guard Cullen Neal may not play due to a heel injury that has been nagging at him recently. Both of them participated in practice on Wednesday and looked to be healthy. Goodman has been recovering from a knee surgery that he went through in June and has still not fully healed. Wednesday was his third straight practice for the Lobos.

New Mexico head coach Bob Davie, right, speaks with defensive coordinator Kevin Cosgrove during the game against Boise State on Saturday. The Lobos must win its remaining three games in order to be bowl eligible.

Sports

Football: Team needs every win for shot at the bowl

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 14

New Mexico’s bowl game chances are slowly slipping away. The Lobos sit at 3-6 (1-4 Mountain West) on the season and must win its remaining three games in order to be bowl eligible for the first time in seven years. The last time UNM made a bowl game was in 2007 when it won the New Mexico Bowl 23-0 over Nevada. First, UNM must win at Utah State this Saturday in Logan, Utah. The Aggies are 7-3 (4-1 Mountain West) on the year despite losing their top three quarterbacks this season. Utah State is an 18-point favorite over UNM.

New Mexico midfielder Niko Hansen attacks the ball during the game against Missouri State on Oct. 12. The No. 5 seed Lobos will face Conference USA tournament host No. 4 seed Old Dominion today for quarterfinal action.

Sports

Lobos ripe for Conference USA tournament

Isabel Gonzalez | November 12

The UNM men’s soccer team ended its regular season on a high note, but now it’s crunch time. The No. 5 seed Lobos will begin their tournament season today as they face the No. 4 seed and Conference USA host, Old Dominion.

Sports

UNM falls short at home in 60-49 shootout

Thomas Romero-Salas | November 10

One more yard was all New Mexico needed to extend Saturday’s game. For the first time in the game, UNM found itself trailing Boise State 53-49. The Lobos were able to drive the ball to midfield on their next possession, but faced a critical fourth-and-2 situation at their own 48-yard line with 4:11 remaining. After a timeout, redshirt freshman quarterback Lamar Jordan tried to dive for the first down by keeping the ball on an option run. At first the referees signaled that Jordan had gained enough for a new set of downs. However, the play was reviewed and subsequently overturned as the replay official saw Jordan’s elbow hit the turf before he made it to the first-down marker.