ENMU women's soccer wins home opener

Wrong foot, right result, and Eastern New Mexico’s women’s soccer team is perfect at home after a less-than-that start on the road.

Sophomore Morgan Fairbanks’ goal, set up by Samantha Silvestre, gave ENMU the only offense of the day 25 minutes in and the defense held for a 1-0 victory in its home opener Wednesday at the ENMU soccer pitch.

link Staff photo: Kevin Wilson

Greyhound freshman midfielder Baylee Hampton gains possession of the ball while fighting off New Mexico Highlands defender Anyssa Dagnino in the second half of Wednesday’s game at the Eastern New Mexico University pitch.

The lone goal for ENMU (2-3-1) began with a cross from Tori Hendrickson to Silvestre.

“I saw the ball coming through and I saw Morgan going across,” Silvestre said. “She had a better angle so I gave it to her.”

Despite all the factors contributing to the goal with 25:49 left in the first half, it wasn’t a set play at all for Fairbanks’ second goal of the season.

“It was very last minute,” Fairbanks said. “It was a left-footed shot, not my dominant foot.”

It was one of just eight shots on goal for both teams in what was essentially a battle of possession.

The Greyhounds led the way with 15 total shots, and five on goal against Ashlyn Bruin. The Cowgirls, meanwhile, managed just six shots, with ENMU sophomore Karissa Stinson stopping all three on goal.

“The key is we competed this time,” ENMU women’s coach Omar Morales emphasized. “In our three losses we didn’t compete enough and we’re going to need that (for) conference games.”

Morales was happy with ENMU’s play, but did say the team needs to work on finishing plays.

“As a coach, you always worry that you’re not scoring enough,” Morales said. “But I think we played the best soccer we’ve played all year.”

The Greyhounds get a week off before their next game, a 3 p.m. Wednesday Lone Star Conference opener against West Texas A&M.