Second-Half Explosion Nets another Soccer Shutout

 

LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The New Mexico Highlands soccer team (3-1) is off to its best start in program history thanks to a 4-0 win over Eastern New Mexico (1-3) Saturday night (Sept. 13) on the pitch at Perkins Stadium in Las Vegas.
 
In a physical game that saw both teams still scoreless after 66 minutes, freshman Mallory Bostic took a free kick about 35 yards out and placed in into the box. The kick found the head of senior Alyssa Saucedo, who flicked the ball in for her first goal of the season to put the home team on the scoreboard in the 67th minute.
 
Nearly 10 minutes later, freshman Mallory Bostic passed to sophomore Danielle Acuna, who put a through ball in to sophomore Anyssa Dagnino. Dagnino just beat the goalie at the top of the box and went left post to find the back of the net for her third goal of the season. The score gave the Cowgirls an important insurance tally.
 
Going left post seemed to be the ticket for Highlands as in the 81st minute, freshman Hannah Dahlquist threaded the needle to junior Crystal Schuder. Schuder – who led the team with four shots on target –slammed the ball just inside the left post for her second goal in as many games to put the home team up 3-0.
 
Less than three minutes left, freshman Hannah Dahlquist got in the act. Junior Rainey Pelzel took a free kick near the end line on the right side and found Dahlquist for the icing on the cake of Highlands 4-0 win. It was the first tally of the year for Dahlquist.
 
Freshman goalie Sarah Beecher (3-1) recorded her second shutout in as many nights – and her third scoreless game of the season – with a save in each half.
 
The Zias only managed five shots on the game with Melissa Moxley recording both shots on target for Eastern New Mexico. Alyxandra Ortiz (1-3) took the loss in goal for the Zias, allowing three goals on seven shots faced.
 
The soccer team returns to action Wednesday (Sept. 17) when it takes on CSU-Pueblo in Pueblo, Colorado. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.