The University of New Mexico has unveiled its Lobo Softball schedule for the 2025 season, which includes an impressive lineup of 12 home games within a 52-game schedule. This announcement was made on Wednesday, generating excitement among fans and players alike.
The Lobos’ 2025 schedule includes a challenging array of opponents, showcasing four teams that participated in the NCAA Tournament last season. Additionally, it features six teams that will be facing the Lobos for the very first time in program history.
UNM will kick off its season in Texas, beginning with a matchup against Sam Houston on February 6. Following this, the team will participate in the Houston Classic from February 7 to February 9, playing against Houston Christian, Houston, and St. John’s. Notably, these games will see the Lobos take on Houston Christian and Houston twice, concluding the weekend against St. John’s, marking the first encounter between these two teams.
Competitive Challenges in Texas
The Lobos are set for a rigorous schedule with three consecutive weekends in Texas. They will return for the Bobcat Tournament from February 14 to February 16, where they will compete in five games against Fordham, St. Thomas, and Texas State. This tournament will be significant for the Lobos, as it will be their second all-time meeting with Fordham—the first since 2000—and their first-ever encounters with St. Thomas and Texas State since 2017.
Continuing their tour in Texas, the following weekend sees UNM at the Tarleton Invitational in Stephenville. Here, they will face Texas Southern, North Dakota, and Tarleton State. This provides an opportunity for the Lobos to compete against North Dakota for the first time since 2019 and against Tarleton State for the first time since 2022, in addition to meeting Texas Southern for the first time since 2020.
Non-Conference Highlights
As February transitions into March, the Lobos will remain active on the road, taking their talents to Mississippi State for a series that includes matchups against Northwestern State, Mississippi State, and Alabama State from February 28 to March 2. Among these contests, the Lobos will clash with Alabama State for the first time, while rekindling rivalries with Mississippi State and Northwestern State after several years.
The non-conference tournament schedule will conclude in Phoenix, Arizona, at the Purple Classic, where they will face St. Joseph’s, San Diego, and Penn. This will mark the first meetings against St. Joseph’s and Penn for the Lobos, along with a long-awaited matchup with San Diego since their last encounter in 2020.
Conference Play and Schedule Summary
After closing out their non-conference schedule with a game against in-state rival New Mexico State on March 11, UNM will host San José State in the home opener for conference play from March 14 to 16.
March will also see a midweek trip to UTEP on March 18, marking the beginning of a challenging stretch that includes a seven-game road trip featuring a series against San Diego State (March 21-23), a single game at UC San Diego (March 25—a first meeting between the schools), and a doubleheader at Utah State on April 2.
Returning to Santa Ana Star Field, the Lobos will embark on a five-game homestand against Boise State (April 5-6) and Colorado State (April 11-13) before heading west to face Fresno State (April 17-19). The month of April wraps up with an extensive series of home games against UTEP on April 22 and a sequence against Nevada (April 25-27), culminating with their last conference series at UNLV from May 1 to 3.
The Mountain West Championship is set to take place from May 8 to 10 in San Diego.
New Season with New Faces
Entering the 2025 season, the Lobos are led by head coach Nicole Dickson, now in her third year, supported by a roster that includes 15 newcomers and senior leadership from players like Ashley Archuleta, Emma Bramson, and Sydney Carithers. The blend of experience and fresh talent positions UNM for an exciting season ahead.
UNM Track & Field Reveals Competitive Outdoor Schedule for 2025 Season
The University of New Mexico’s Track & Field team has released its outdoor schedule for the upcoming 2025 season, which promises to feature competitive meets and significant challenges, as fans and athletes gear up for another thrilling year under the guidance of head coach Darren Gauson.
Building on Fall Success
Following a successful fall season that saw both the men’s and women’s cross-country squads achieving Top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships for the first time in program history, including remarkable results from Habtom Samuel and Kosgei, the track & field program is primed for continued achievements. Last year, Samuel shined at the NCAA Outdoor Championships, clinching an individual title in the men’s 10,000 meters and earning First Team All-American accolades.
As they transition from indoor to outdoor competition, the Lobos will split their team efforts, with part of the squad heading to Texas for the prestigious Texas Relays (March 26-29) and the Bobcat Invitational (March 27-29). Meanwhile, other members will compete in Albuquerque, where UNM will host the New Mexico Spring Invitational on March 29.
Additionally, Habtom Samuel is set to return to Sound Running’s THE TEN, an elite meet featuring professionals and Olympians. Samuel had previously delivered one of the fastest 10K times in NCAA history at this event, further showcasing the talent among the Lobo athletes.
Key Events in the Schedule
The Lobos will venture back to Texas for the UTEP Speed & Power Meet (April 11-12) before the team splits to compete in a series of significant meets across California the following week, including the Mt. SAC Relays, the Bryan Clay Invitational, the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate, and the Long Beach Invitational.
Historically, UNM has dominated 5,000-meter and 10,000-meter events, and this year’s outdoor season will also see them return to Stanford-hosted meets for the fourth consecutive year.
Showcasing Home Talent
The Don Kirby Twilight is slated as UNM’s second and final home meet of the outdoor season, set for April 25. With postseason competition commencing with the Mountain West Outdoor Championships on May 15-17, hosted by Fresno State, the Lobos are keen to improve upon their fifth-place finish for the men’s side and sixth for the women in the previous year.
The top 48 declared student-athletes and top 24 relay teams will be accepted into the preliminary rounds of competition, with a goal to advance to the NCAA Outdoor National Championships, scheduled for June 7-10 at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon—an iconic venue hosting the championships for the 20th time.
Historic Win for New Mexico Men’s Basketball Against Western New Mexico
The New Mexico Lobos men’s basketball team delivered an electrifying performance Saturday night at The Pit, achieving a stunning 122-70 victory over the Western New Mexico Mustangs. This game marked the Lobos’ largest margin of victory in six years and the highest scoring total for UNM in seven years.
The Lobos (8-3) achieved impressive statistics under head coach Richard Pitino, including setting highs with 122 points, 62 points in a single half, and a staggering 52-point margin of victory. Furthermore, the team excelled by recording 47 field goals, 31 assists, and a total of 74 bench points.
Freshman Jovan Milicevic stood out with a game-high 21 points, marking his first double-figure game of his career. He was supported by Braden Appelhans who scored a career-high 18 points and Filip Borovicanin who contributed 13 points, with additional support from Tru Washington (12 points) and Donovan Dent (11 points). In a dominating effort on the glass, Atiki Ally Atiki led the team in rebounding with a season-high 10 boards.
The match commenced with the Lobos quickly establishing dominance, initiating the game with a 6-0 run. The Mustangs tied the game at 12-12 midway through the first half, but the Lobos countered with a significant 6-0 run to regain and then extend their lead to 33-22. As the first half progressed, the Lobos enforced a 9-0 run to stretch the lead to 57-33, concluding the first half at 60-37—a remarkable halftime lead.
The second half saw the Lobos continue their onslaught with a 9-1 run, pushing their advantage to 74-49 early on. An astonishing 22-0 run followed, elevating the score to 98-54, showcasing the team’s ability to dominate on both ends of the court. The Lobos achieved their largest lead of the game, securing a 52-point victory.
The Lobos’ prolific scoring set a new standard within the Mountain West, with UNM accomplishing what no other conference team had managed in the past three seasons. The Lobos’ second half contributions and bench depth were particularly noteworthy, highlighting a promising depth within the squad.
Following the match, Coach Pitino noted the importance of regaining focus after a previous loss and expressed pride in the team’s performance, encouraging a mentality of progress and preparation for their upcoming challenge against VCU.
The Lobos will conclude their non-conference schedule with a thrilling matchup against the VCU Rams on Wednesday. The game will tip off at 7:00 p.m. and will be a chance for New Mexico to showcase their talents against a strong opponent, with the Rams visiting The Pit as the highest-rated team in the KenPom stats since the 2017-18 season.
Jovan Milicevic Earns Mountain West Freshman of the Week Honors
Recognizing his impressive performance in the Lobos’ recent victory, Jovan Milicevic has been awarded the Mountain West Freshman of the Week. Milicevic’s honor marks the Lobos’ first Freshman of the Week honor of the season, following Nelly Junior Joseph’s Player of the Week award in the opening week.
In the game against Western New Mexico, Milicevic achieved personal bests across various statistical categories: recording 21 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals while shooting efficiently from the floor (8-11), and from three-point range (3-4). His standout performance not only showcased his scoring capabilities but also demonstrated his efficiency as a key contributor off the bench for the Lobos.
As the Lobos prepare for their final non-conference fixture against VCU, anticipation is high for Milicevic to continue his upward trajectory and for the team to maintain their momentum. His performance and the depth of the bench will be pivotal as they transition into the Mountain West play later this season.
Women’s Basketball Dominates with 82-59 Win Over Pepperdine
The University of New Mexico women’s basketball team showcased a stellar performance last Sunday, commanding an emphatic 82-59 victory over the Pepperdine Waves. The game highlighted the Lobos’ defensive resilience and offensive efficiency, improving their overall record to 6-5.
During the game, the Lobos outscored Pepperdine decisively in the second quarter, managing a remarkable 24-7 lead that ultimately set the tone for the rest of the contest. This victory marked the sixth occasion this season where the Lobos held an opponent under 10 points in a quarter, emphasizing their defensive strength.
Players came together for a balanced scoring effort, with Hulda Joaquim and Destinee Hooks each scoring 14 points. Joaquim displayed remarkable efficiency, going 6-6 from the field, while Hooks contributed significantly with rebounds and assists, highlighting her multifaceted game. Viané Cumber and Amhyia Moreland then added 12 points each, demonstrating the strength of the Lobos’ bench.
The Lobos capitalized on turnovers, forcing 12 steals while managing to dominate several statistical categories—most notably points scored in the paint, second-chance points, and overall field-goal percentage. They led for a total of 34 minutes and also made significant contributions from the bench, underscoring how team depth was a crucial element in their win.
The Lobos will play host during the Lobo Invitational starting Thursday against Sacramento State, followed by a match against Abilene Christian on Saturday. This three-game tournament is critical for the Lobos to build momentum as they continue through the season.
As the New Mexico Lobos navigate their respective sports seasons, the enthusiasm surrounding their schedules, recent performances, and recognitions sets an optimistic tone for students, fans, and athletes alike. With robust outdoor schedules, key matchups ahead, and the potential for strong postseason performances, both the softball and basketball teams are set to make their marks in the 2025 athletic landscape.