Although Thursday was the season opener for New Mexico soccer, the intensity on the field was akin to a postseason match as the Lobos battled No. 6 Rutgers.
UNM, desperate to procure a signature win to start the season, played with a relentless energy, particularly in the second half as it tried to equalize after falling behind the Scarlet Knights early.
Both squads delivered a physical brand of soccer that sent players repeatedly sprawling across the pitch as each side tried to gain a positional advantage in front of 1,022 raucous fans at UNM Soccer & Track Complex.