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Soccer looks for first win over Lobos

Another first awaits the UA women's soccer team as they host regional foe New Mexico on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Murphey Field.

Mirroring Tuesday's contest against Arizona State University, the Wildcats (1-1-0 overall, 0-1-0 Pacific 10 Conference) will be looking for their first ever victory over Lobos, and their first home win for the season after falling 4-0 to the Sun Devils.

"We have to leave it at that, a horrible loss," said sophomore midfielder Marisa Padula of Tuesday's mishap. "But, at this point in our season we still have 18 games left, and we have to move on and win the rest."

UNM holds a 2-0-1 lead over the UA, with their meeting last season ending in a 1-1 tie.

"They are a good team," UA head coach Lisa Fraser said of the Lobos. "It is always a battle. They are well-coached and a very disciplined team."

UNM (0-2-0 overall) comes into the match with UA after losing two close games by one goal each to Colorado College and Texas-El Paso.

The Lobos play Northern Arizona tonight in Flagstaff, and the outcome of that game will give the Wildcats an idea of what kind of team they should expect to encounter from the Lobos. UA beat the Lumberjacks 4-1 in Flagstaff last Friday.

"Basically, I don't know what to expect, but I know we can handle it," Padula said.

UNM returns ten players from last year's squad that finished a disappointing 4-13-2 overall and 2-4-0 in the Western Athletic Conference.

The Lobos are led by freshman midfielder Christina Williams, who leads the team with two goals, and senior midfielder Lana Melendres, who has a goal and an assist.

The goalkeeping tandem of sophomore Shelly Hammock and Dawn Trevino will try and stop a heavy barrage of UA shots. The two combined have allowed six goals so far this season.

Arizona looks to get back on track by increasing its offensive output, which was shut down against the Sun Devils.

"They are a little angry," Fraser said of the Wildcats.

Padula agreed but said that the team is prepared.

"We got back together today after a day off yesterday and we did awesome," Padula said of yesterday's practice. "We worked on defense and offense, trying to stop anything coming across the middle."

Sophomore midfielder Tiffany Sabado and junior forward Chrissy Sanford will look to continue their scoring as they lead the Wildcats' offense with two goals each.

Junior goalkeeper Inger Airheart will try to regain her winning form when she's in the net for the Wildcats again on Sunday.

"We are ready to come out and move ahead to the next game," Padula said. "We're excited for UNM."