Romero Breaks Single-Season Goals Record in 3-0 Win over New Mexico

USAFA, Colo. – The Air Force Academy women's soccer team bounced back with a commanding 3-0 win over New Mexico Sunday afternoon, Oct. 20, at Cadet Soccer Stadium. Freshman Lexi Romero scored two goals in the contest to get to 13 on her season, which breaks the program record for goals in a single season.

Romero broke the record of 12 goals set by Tracy Healy way back in 1993. Romero also broke Healy's single season points record of 29, as she has 31 after recording an assist today as well. Finally, she was credited with the game winning goal, giving her six on the season to break the record of five by Healy in 1994.

"I'm super excited for Lexi Romero on breaking the goal record," Head Coach Larry Friend exclaimed. "Not only is she leading the conference in scoring now, but she's one of the best goal scorers in the country."

The ninth win of the season gives AF its most in a year since recording 11 in 1999. The four conference wins also ties the most for the Falcons in the Mountain West era, which dates back to 1999, with the 2017 and 2014 teams.

In a blustery and cold day at Cadet Soccer Stadium, the Falcons (9-5-1, 4-4 MW) out-shot the Lobos (9-6, 5-3 MW) 11-9, including a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. Meanwhile there was only one corner kick, which was taken by the Falcons.

Romero had the total of five points on the afternoon, while the third goal was scored by junior Emma Nelson, her fifth on the year. Nelson also assisted Romero's first goal, while junior Alex Giggie had the assist on her second, and Romero assisted on Nelson's.

In net, junior Danielle Katz recorded her sixth clean sheet of the season, as she made three saves while facing the nine shots. Her six shutouts on the season are the second-most in a single season, and the most since 1995.

"I'm very proud of the team today, that was our most complete game of the season," Friend added. "Erin Speer gave us great leadership in the middle of the pitch, and Emma Nelson and Danielle Katz really stepped it up on both ends of the field."

With the high winds, both offenses had a tough time getting any momentum over the first 15 minutes of action. In the 18th minute, Nelson let a shot rip from outside the box, and it bounced off the crossbar, right to Romero, who headed home an easy goal. That score held into the second half.

The second stanza was similar to the first without much offensive opportunities. In the 48th minute, Giggie sent a set piece into the box, and Romero received the pass off a deflection, and she buried it to get the 2-0 lead and the school record.

From there, AF's defense held the Lobos in check. In the 80th minute, the Falcons got the final insurance goal, as Romero passed to Nelson, and she knocked it home to make it 3-0, which held into the final whistle.

Air Force gets back on the road next weekend, as they head to Utah to take on Utah State, Friday, Oct. 25. Kickoff against the Aggies is set for 3 p.m. MT.

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