A Fresh Start for the Lobos
The University of New Mexico's women's soccer program is ushering in a new chapter as longtime assistant Karley Nelson succeeds Heather Dyke as head coach. Having spent a decade under Dyke's tutelage, Nelson brings an intimate knowledge of the roster and a calm, assertive leadership style that many players say feels like a natural extension of the program's existing culture.
Nelson, now the fifth head coach in UNM history, inherits a squad that finished the previous season with a strong foundation and high expectations. The coaching transition is described by insiders as seamless, with the team already buying into her standards and vision for competing at the top of the Mountain West Conference.
Key Players and Watch List Selections
Three Lobos — Nicole Anderson, Fiona Jenkins and Alysa Whelchel — earned spots on the Mountain West preseason watch list, underscoring the talent that will anchor the team's attack. Alyson Campbell also highlighted Nelson's influence, noting the coach's emphasis on discipline and a positive locker‑room atmosphere as pivotal to the squad's development.
The season kicks off on Thursday, August 20, at 7 p.m., when the Lobos host Northern Arizona at the UNM Soccer Complex. From there, the schedule weaves through a mix of conference battles and non‑conference matchups, culminating in the final regular‑season game on November 7. Each contest presents an opportunity to test the team's depth and reinforce the culture Nelson has begun to shape.
Beyond the on‑field action, the program harbors a clear ambition: to contend for the conference title and secure an NCAA tournament berth for the first time since 2021. If the early signs are any indication, the Lobos are poised to turn that goal into reality, driven by experienced leadership, a talented roster, and a cohesive team spirit that Nelson has cultivated over the past ten years.