ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO – The Lab delivered a finish fans won’t forget anytime soon, as Ousman Jabang buried the game‑winning goal deep into stoppage time, lifting the Black and Yellow to a dramatic 3‑2 win over the Colorado Springs Switchbacks on Saturday.
The strike sent more than 9,000 fans into a frenzy and earned United its first win and first points of the season — the kind of ending that proves nothing is decided until the final whistle blows.
The first half offered plenty of action but no goals, with both teams trading chances and splitting possession nearly evenly. Play was also briefly paused during the half as part of a league‑wide moment recognizing the “Pay the Players” movement before the match continued. 
By halftime, the scoreboard remained quiet. That wouldn’t last long.
Colorado Springs struck first after the break, with Khori Bennett converting from the penalty spot to give the Switchbacks a 1‑0 lead.
United answered with fresh legs and urgency. In the 60th minute, Dayonn Harris, Justin Rennicks, and Kipp Keller came on, sparking an immediate shift in momentum.
Four minutes later, Harris made it count. Connecting with a long ball from Greg Hurst, Harris finished cleanly to score United’s first home goal of the season and even the match at 1‑1.
“We needed a response, and the guys brought energy right away,” head coach Dennis Sanchez said afterward. “That belief never left us.”
United kept pushing, and in the 75th minute, Valentín Noël found the back of the net to put the hosts ahead 2‑1.
Just when it seemed United might see it out, Bennett stepped up again. In the fourth minute of second‑half stoppage time, he converted his second penalty of the night, tying the match at 2‑2 and briefly stunning the crowd.
Keyword: briefly.
Straight off the restart, United went back on the attack. Harris played the ball forward, Jabang found space, and in the sixth minute of added time, he smashed home the winner — sparking an eruption at The Lab.
After the match, Jabang acknowledged the emotions of a tense ending, saying the team focused on staying composed and letting the referees handle decisions while United kept pushing forward.
“It was about staying calm and trusting the moment,” Harris said. “We knew if we pushed, something would open up.”
“I’m really blessed to be in this position,” Jabang added. “Blessed to be in front of the best fans in the league — best fans probably in America, to be honest.”
The victory moves New Mexico United to 1‑2‑0 on the season and sends the club into its next test with confidence. Up next: a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup matchup against rival El Paso Locomotive on April 1st at the UNM Soccer Complex.
For one night, though, the focus stayed on a finish worthy of the opening chapter — a reminder that at The Lab, the drama often arrives right at the end.
