LAS CRUCES, N.M.—Utah Valley opened Western Athletic Conference play with a 1-1 draw on the road at New Mexico State on Friday night at the NMSU Soccer Athletic Complex in Las Cruces.
"We're disappointed not to have walked away with three points," said Utah Valley head coach
Chris Lemay. "Our performance was good and there were moments when we were very good. New Mexico State had a system and style that made it difficult for us. It was a hostile environment and a tie isn't what we're shooting for on the road but we'll take it and move on to Sunday's game at Sam Houston."
With the draw, Utah Valley moves its record to 4-1-3 overall and 0-0-1 in WAC play. NM State is now 3-2-2 overall and 0-0-1 in league play. With the draw, UVU snaps NM State's three-game win streak. The draw also keeps UVU has still never lost a game to NMSU and now holds an all-time 10-0-4 all-time advantage in the series.
Utah Valley struck first in the 36th minute when
Ashley Hughes sprinted down the left side of the field with the ball and fired a cross right in front of the four-yard box.
Heather Stainbrook immediately blasted a shot past the NM State keeper and into the back of the net to give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. The score marked the first goal that the Aggies had given up since an 2-1 loss at Texas A&M on Aug. 27. The goal was also the first goal NM State had given up at home this year.
NM State's Bianca Chacon curled a shot into the upper right 90 from just outside the 18-yard box for the equalizer to tie the game at 1-1 in the 72nd minute.
Utah Valley outshot NM State 16-11 but was edged 7-5 in shots on goal. UVU had nine corner kicks to NM State's six.
Nicole Ray led UVU with five shots, including one on frame. Stainbrook had four shots, while
Faith Webber had three.
Julianna Carter led the Wolverines with two shots on goal.
Idalia Serrano led the Wolverines in the box with six saves.
Utah Valley will continue play on the road as the team travels to Huntsville, Texas to take on Sam Houston on Sunday at Pritchett Field. Kickoff is set for noon MT.
