HOBBS, N.M. – University of the Southwest women's soccer used a balanced offensive attack and downed Our Lady of the Lake 3-1 Thursday afternoon in Red River Athletic Conference play at Bob Moran Soccer Field.
 
It was the program's first win over OLLU.
 
"Today was a big win for our program and another program first," USW head coach Joshua Smith said following the win. "From what we could see, this is the first time we have beaten OLLU. The girls continue to show what they are made of. Whenever we have had key injuries, someone has stepped up."
 
It didn't take long for USW to find success.
 
At 8:15 in the opening half, Freshman Dalia Lopez received a beautiful cross from sophomore Naomi Morales and found a wide-open net. At 26:39 Savannah Villegas received a pass from Morales and buried it home and the Mustangs (9-2, 3-2 RRAC) went into halftime with a 2-0 advantage.
 
After allowing a goal to cut its lead to 2-1, freshman and Hobbs native Noemi Carrillo converted a penalty kick and extended the lead to 3-1.
 
"I was nervous just like any girl, but I kept calm, looked at the ball and knew exactly where I was going to with the ball," Carrillo said. "This is a really big win for us and I hope everyone in our conference now sees that we are a threat and in it to win it (conference championship)."
 
USW outshot OLLU (3-8, 2-4 RRAC) 7-6, however, the Mustangs outshot the Saints 5-0 in the first half.
 
The Mustangs look for win No. 10 on the season and host RRAC foe Huston-Tillotson Saturday at 1 p.m. at Bob Moran Soccer Field.