BOISE, Idaho- The New Mexico State soccer team concluded its inaugural season in the 2009 WAC Tournament, Thursday, Nov. 5, in Boise, Idaho. The No. 4 seed Nevada edged the No. 5 seed Aggies, 1-0, at Boas Complex. NM State finished its remarkable season with a 9-9-1 record.
“It was a fantastic year and a fantastic game,” head coach Michael Needham said. “The kids played really well, except for a little hiccup in the first minute of the game. We had good goal keeping, Katie (Graul) made big saves, and good attacking. I thought we were very good. I’m super proud of this team.”
Nevada took a quick 1-0 lead when junior midfielder Vanessa Mann scored on a ball that was defected off an Aggie in the first minute of the match.
At the 12-minute mark, NM State responded as freshman defender Yolanda McMillion collected the Aggies first shot on goal on a pass from freshman forward Crystal Burns.
In the first half, NM State recorded eight shots with three shots on goal. Junior defender Nina Yanes led the Aggies with four shots including a great chance on a free kick that sailed high.
Trailing at the break, the Aggies maintained the offensive pressure with the first shot on goal of the second half when Yanes took a free kick in the 52nd minute.
With 22:36 remaining in regulation, NM State tried to tie the match as McMillion had a strike that grazed high off of junior goalkeeper Marie Cove’s fingertips.
Courtesy: Stanley Brewster
