It was a great weekend for Lobo Athletics when both the men’s and women’s golf teams were in action. The Lobo Women soccer team also picked up another win over the Aggies over the weekend.
Lobos’ Impressive Finish at Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational
The New Mexico women’s golf team kicked off the 2023-24 season with a strong showing at the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational. In their lone home event of the season, the Lobos displayed their talent and determination, finishing T-5th at 11-over par. Pepperdine claimed the tournament victory at 14-under, with Kansas as the runner-up at 3-over. The Lobos found themselves in good company, with Arizona State (3-over), UNLV (5-over), and SMU sharing the top five in the 16-team field. Head coach Jill Trujillo praised her team’s performance in a highly competitive field, emphasizing their fighting spirit.
Individually, Lauren Lehigh stood out with a stellar third-place finish, carding a 1-under 71 in the final round, finishing at 8-under for the tournament. Myah McDonald and Lisa-Marie Pagliano also delivered solid performances, contributing to the Lobos’ success.
The Lobo Women are now set to take on the Schooner Fall Classic in Oklahoma from September 23-25.
Lobos Triumph Over Aggies in Rivalry Showdown
In an exciting rivalry showdown against New Mexico State, the Lobos faced adversity but emerged victorious with a score of 3-1. With this win, the Lobos extended their win streak against the Aggies to four consecutive victories and maintained their all-time series advantage at 11-1-0, with an impressive 6-0-0 record in Albuquerque.
The Lobos fell behind early as NMSU scored their first shot of the match within two minutes. However, the Lobos quickly responded, with Mercedes Morris, Presley Devey, and Myah Isais each scoring their first-ever goals for the team. Margaux Clarke, Natalie DeGagne, and Paris Dalton provided crucial assists.
Despite facing adversity, including playing with only ten players for a significant portion of the match due to a yellow card, the Lobos held their ground and secured the win. UNM’s defense allowed only two shots, one of which was on goal, in the final 45 minutes, maintaining their dominance over the Aggies.
With a 3-1-2 record heading into conference play, the Lobos are gearing up for their next challenge on September 21 when they face San José State on the road.
Lobos’ Strong Finish at Mirabel Maui Jim Intercollegiate
The New Mexico men’s golf team showcased their skills at the Mirabel Maui Jim Intercollegiate, finishing T-6th with a total score of 31-under par. Auburn secured a wire-to-wire victory at 56-under, followed by Fresno State (45-under), San Diego State (43-under), Ohio State (37-under), and SMU (32-under) in the top five. UNM tied with Oregon for the sixth spot in the 15-team field.
Matthew Watkins achieved a career-best finish, landing in sixth place at 14-under for his third career top-10 performance. He shot an impressive 199 over 54 holes, becoming the seventh Lobo in history to finish under 200. Carson Herron also had a standout performance, finishing T-11th at 11-under.
The Lobos’ strong final round, where they shot 13-under, marked the second-lowest round of the day. Their performance demonstrated remarkable fight and determination, especially from Watkins and Carson.
Next, the Lobos are gearing up for the USF Intercollegiate at TPC Harding Park in San Francisco from September 18-19, an exciting event at the site of the 2020 PGA Championship.