Broncos Dominate New Mexico in Historic Win

Thursday, November 7

Boise, Idaho

2:00 PM MT

Boise State

17-4-0, 8-3-0

New Mexico

11-8-1, 6-4-1

New Mexico

Boise St.

Photo by: Boise State University

11/7/2019 6:18:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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BOISE, Idaho - Led by a Raimee Sherle hat trick, Boise State women's soccer dominated New Mexico, 6-0 in the semifinal match of the Mountain West Soccer Championship at Boas Soccer Complex, Thursday.

"I'm really, really proud of our girls' sticktoitiveness in the way that they prepared," said head coach Jim Thomas. "It's hard to start the tournament last, when everyone else has got that juice flowing and you're still trying to find it and we put on a performance for the ages."

With her three goals, Sherle recorded the first hat trick in MW Championship history among active members and the first since BYU in 2002. She recorded the game-winning goal unassisted in the 24th minute off a throw in by senior Lillie French. Sherle drove towards the top of the box before doubling back, pivoting and sending the ball past the New Mexico goalkeeper on the far post.

"We've been talking about it a lot this week that nothing is given to you, everything is earned and you need to go out and take it," said Sherle. "We wanted it really bad and you could see that from how we played on the pitch."

Sherle wasn't finished. Less than a minute later, she scored again, this time coming off an assist from fellow senior Kristina Serres who crossed the ball right to Sherle in the six-yard box. Sherle leaped and delivered the ball to the far post for the score. Sherle's two goals in 58 seconds are the fastest-consecutive goals scored by a Boise State player.

Just over a minute later, junior Aubree Chatterton got in on the action, scoring her seventh goal of the season off a rebounded shot by Kristina Serres to put the Broncos up by three in the first 26 minutes. Serres now has seven assists on the year, matching a career high from last season.

As the clock wound down in the first half, freshman Gabby Gillespie scored her first goal of the day in the 44th minute. Ashleigh Harrison earned the assist, feeding the ball to Gillespie in the box where she hammered it past the keeper on the near post.

The Broncos' four first-half goals are the most scored in Bronco postseason play. The last time Boise State scored four goals in the first half of a game was Oct. 22, 2017, against UNLV.

In the second half, the Broncos continued to add on. Sherle completed her hat trick in the 55th minute with a shot from the center of the arc above the 18-yard box, sending it into the left side of the net. Sherle now leads the Mountain West with 15 goals this season.

Later, in the 85th minute, Gillespie tacked on her second goal of the game from almost the exact same spot as Sherle 30 minutes earlier. Gillespie now has three goals on the year.

The Broncos six goals are the most in a MW Championship match since BYU scored nine against San Diego State in 2002 and tied for third most in MW history.

Boise State keeper Sydney Smith recorded fives saves en route to her 12th shutout of the season. She made a tremendous fingertip save in the 71st minute to preserve the clean sheet. Smith's 12 shutouts are the most by a sophomore in MW history.

"Everyone was hyped and wanted to come back, especially after last week's loss," said defender Mikayla Schachtell. "We knew what was on the line and we wanted to give our full effort. The defense was there and didn't allow many shots and our forwards put it away for us.

Boise State now prepares for the title match with No. 2 San Diego State, Saturday at noon MT, at Boas Soccer Complex. Tickets are available at broncosports.com.