Hobbs, NM – USW Women's Soccer were looking to win their third game in a row as conference opponent Texas College rolled into town. The Lady Mustangs were sporting an even 2-2 record, coming off a 6-3 victory over Oklahoma Panhandle State on Monday. Texas College looked to get their first win of the season in their first conference game of 2022.  
 
It did not take long for the Lady Mustangs to get on the board as Sophomore Maya Sanchez found Sophomore Noemi Carillo for the first score of the game in the 1^st minute. USW continued their attack early in the game with an additional goal in the 4^th minute. Maya Sanchez was now the one doing the scoring as she put it into the back of the net off an assist from Graduate Student Jennifer Schroder. Schroeder decided to get on the scoreboard as well when she added another one in the 9^th minute to put USW up 3-0. 
 
It was clear that the Lady Mustangs were looking to push the tempo and stay aggressive in their first conference game of the season. Unfortunately, Texas College were able to cool off the Mustangs' scoring pace in the first half, which ended 3-0. 
 
"Today, we approached the game differently on the girls' side. I wanted to make them aware that these games all count and will matter when the season ends, and we can't leave anything up for grabs," Coach Edgar Negrete said. "We started slowly in the first half but could come out better and play the way we know how."
 
The second half would be in USW's control from the start. Ten minutes in, Maya Sanchez added her second goal of the game from an assist from Noemi Carillo. Freshman Elizabeth Rico added another goal in the 62^ndminute, followed by the third goal of the game from Maya Sanchez, putting USW up 6-0 within eighteen minutes of the second half.
 
In the 65^th minute, Senior Mayeli Torres added her name to the scoresheet as she found the back of the net and increased the lead for the Lady Mustangs. Jennifer Schroeder was able to put another away in the 67^thminute, making the score 8-0 in favor of USW. Maya Sanchez scored her fourth goal of the game in the 69^thminute after an assist from Junior Sierra Saenz. Only a minute later, Sanchez would tack on another for her season-high fifth goal, beating her high of four that was set earlier this week against Oklahoma Panhandle State. 
 
Sophomore, and Hobbs Native, Jasmine Martinez joined the scoring party with a goal in the 72^nd minute, making it an 11-0 game. Sophomore Kristina Simpson also got on the board in the 78^th with the help of an assist from Freshman Sarai Ocon. Texas College fell to their own mistakes when they allowed an own goal for the thirteenth goal of the game of the Lady Mustangs. The game ended with a goal in the 88^th minute from Freshman Cassidy Perkins, assisted by Mayeli Torres, and a 90th-minute goal from Sierra Saenz. The Lady Mustangs would put in a dominant performance for a 15-0 victory to start conference play.
 
"We had many girls get on the scoreboard today, and I'm happy that our forwards are finding the back of the net more often. Our midfield played very well in the second half and dictated the game. Proud of the backline again and goalkeepers for getting another clean sheet. We have to take one game at a time and make sure we hold each other accountable. We can do special things; we have to play all 90 minutes and not 45. But overall, I'm extremely proud of the girls for opening conference with a win," said Coach Negrete.
 
USW Women's Soccer looks to make it four in a row this Saturday, September 24^th, as they take on conference opponent Jarvis Christian on the road. Continue to follow USW Athletics and USW Women's Soccer on all social media for scores and updates throughout the season.