Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – It was a war of attrition Thursday night (Sept. 11) with the Cowgirls getting the last laugh.
After both teams managed only one shot on goal in the first half, it was the Cowgirls who found the back of the net twice in the second half as New Mexico Highlands (2-1) outlasted West Texas A&M (0-3) 2-0 in the Cowgirls home opener at Perkins Stadium.
"I think our confidence grew as the game went on," head coach
Justin Wagar explained. "We were a little cautious in the first half. The second half came around and we attacked a little bit more and the flood gates opened. I thought we could have gotten a third there at the end."
The Cowgirls turned up the heat in the second half against the Lady Buffs, outshooting the visitors 6-1 in shots on target. However, the back of the net alluded Highlands until the 71st minute. Junior
Rainey Pezel served a ball on the left side about 30 yards out to sophomore
Anyssa Dagnino. Dagnino beat West Texas A&M goalie Zick McKynzie at the top of the 18-yard box to net for her second goal of the season and first game-winning goal of 2014.
In the 82nd minute, junior
Crystal Schuder took a free kick just outside the 18-yard box on the right side and hooked the ball just inside the right post to add the insurance goal.
Both Schuder's and Dagnino's goals were the only shots they took all game. Freshman
Mallory Bostic again led the team with four shots.
"
Alyssa Saucedo in the center mid did a phenomenal job to possess the ball to switch the field and make us dangerous in the attack. In the forward line, all three of our forwards were pressuring their back line and were dangerous all night long," Wagar stated.
Freshman
Sarah Beecher improves to 2-1 on the year in goal for the Cowgirls, recording her first solo shutout. The visitors had a golden opportunity to net the first goal in the 60th minute, but Beecher tipped the shot by Rhea Belgrade over the crossbar to preserve the scoreless tie.
"The players did great tonight. Sarah in goal had a great game coming off the line and scooping up the ball on crosses and going in physically when they were making contact with her.
Molly Enenbach, one of our captains, did a good job with
Victoria McNary in the middle to lead and preserve a shutout. All four of our defenders, with our goalie, were solid tonight," Wagar said.
The Lady Buffs have lost all three games to RMAC teams this season by a score of 2-0. However, the first two losses were to both ranked teams in the conference (Metro State and Colorado School of Mines).
Added Wagar: "I'm proud of the girls and let's move to 3-1 on Saturday."
Highlands is back in action Saturday night (Sept. 13) when it hosts Eastern New Mexico. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
