Texas Tech Athletics
New Mexico
Red Raider Soccer Can't Get Past New Mexico
September 14, 2002 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 14, 2002
EL PASO, Texas - The 2002 UTEP Miner Classic was not kind for the Texas Tech women's soccer team, as they lost the New Mexico Lobos, 2-1, Saturday night at University Field in El Paso, Texas.
The Lobos (3-3) dominated the first half, getting a goal from Linda Melendres in the 17th minute and a tally from Michelle Nowfel in the 21st minute for a 2-0 lead. For the period, New Mexico out shot the Red Raiders 14-3, maintaining pressure on goalkeeper Beth Lippert (Woodinville, Wash.). Lippert allowed two goals while making five saves; she was replaced by freshmen Megan Knauss (Tigard, Ore.) who played 45 minutes in her first action for Tech.
In the second half, the Red Raiders (2-4) battled their way back into the match. New Mexico held a slim 7 to 6 margin in shots in goal during the second frame. Tech went to the bench looking for production and used ten substitutes in the match. It was freshman Mariah Gutknecht (Sanger, Texas) who got the Red Raiders on the board, as she posted her first career goal to cut the score to 2-1. The Red Raiders, however, could not manage to find the game-tying goal, hitting the post several times in the second half.
"This was a crucial game for us, especially going into college station next weekend." Said head coach Felix Oskam. "We have to keep working hard. We played well tonight. We had several chances that should have been goals, but we just did not capitalize."
The Red Raiders will hit the field again next weekend as they travel to College Station, Texas, to take part in the Texas A&M Fazoli's Classic. Tech will square off against Idaho State on Friday, Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. and battle Florida Atlantic on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 11 a.m.
