Trio of Lobos Signs Major League Soccer Contracts
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Former Lobo men’s soccer standouts from 2017 Jason Beaulieu and Aaron Herrera have each signed coveted Major League Soccer (MLS) contracts, along with 2016 Lobo standout Chris Wehan, The University of New Mexico announced Tuesday. The trio joins former Lobo Niko Hansen (’16), who was chosen as the ninth overall pick in the MLS SuperDraft by the Columbus Crew, totaling four Lobos to sign MLS contracts in the past two seasons.
The pairs from the 2017 and 2016 squads join a long line of Lobo greats that have signed professional contracts with MLS teams, most recently Oniel Fisher, Ben McKendry, Kyle Venter, Michael Lisch, Michael Kafari and more, continuing the long-standing tradition of Lobo soccer in developing professional players.
Beaulieu has signed to play for the Montreal Impact, Herrera for Real Salt Lake and Wehan for the San Jose Quakes. Hansen remains with Columbus Crew SC.
Beaulieu and Herrera both competed for the Lobos in 2017 while Wehan graduated from UNM after the 2016 season, competing in the United Soccer League (USL) with Reno 1868 FC last season. Wehan was named the USL Rookie of the Year for his exceptional performance.
JASON BEAULIEU
Beaulieu signs his homegrown contract with the Montreal Impact fresh off of his senior season with the Lobos. He walked across the stage in December, earning his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from UNM with a grade point average of 3.99.
A 2017 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American, Beaulieu started and played every minute of all 18 matches for the Lobos this season, posting a 0.95 goals against average and five shutouts. He completes his career as a Lobo with 22 shutouts, ranking third in UNM program history.
Beaulieu also finished his career ranking in the top five in Lobo history in wins (34), saves (239), goals against average (0.90) and appearances (68).
“I am very happy to start my professional career at home in Montreal. It is an opportunity few players get and I am extremely grateful for it,” Beaulieu said. “My journey at UNM allowed me to define my style of goalkeeping and gave me the chance to play dozens of meaningful games every year. The environment created by the coaches and my teammates helped me grow from a talented young player to a confident leader.
“I want to thank everybody involved in the program for all that was invested in me. I received a great education and I am now given the chance to live my dream. Choosing to attend UNM was definitively one of the best decisions I took in my life.”
AARON HERRERA
A skilled defender for the past three seasons with the Lobos, Herrera led the Lobos with 15 points on five goals and five assists this season. He started all 17 games in which he played and accumulated 1,539 minutes on the pitch. He also notched three game-winning goals on the season.
Prior to the start of the 2017 season, Herrera competed for the USA National Team in the 2017 U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
Already a highly-decorated Lobo, this past season alone Herrera was named to the Top Drawer Soccer Best XI Second Team, 2017 PDL Players to Watch in College List, Conference USA MVP, All-Conference USA First Team, Grange and Ashwill Invitational MVP, Top Drawer Soccer Postseason Second-Team, United Soccer Coaches All-Region and Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week.
Herrera departs from UNM early, signing a homegrown contract with Real Salt Lake, but intends to complete the final year of his degree program through UNM online.
“I’m extremely excited to have signed my first professional contract with Real Salt Lake, my academy club. I owe a lot to this organization as they really took me under their wing at the academy and allowed me the opportunity to grow immensely on and off the field,” Herrera said.
“I want to thank everyone who has helped me in one way or another on this journey and I especially want to thank all of my teammates, coaches and support staff at The University of New Mexico. I’m really looking forward to the hard work and getting to learn from the coaches and my new teammates at RSL.”
CHRIS WEHAN
Wehan saw action in 30 games, including 29 starts, and logged 2,557 minutes on the pitch for Reno 1668 FC this past season. He collected eight goals, a USL record-tying 12 assists, a 78 percent pass success rate, 15 clearances and 25 interceptions.
While at UNM, Wehan enjoyed a decorated career that included being a two-time All-Conference USA First Team honoree as well as earning NSCAA All-Southwest Region First Team honors as a senior. Among many academic accolades, Wehan was also a two-time NSCAA Scholar All-American, graduating in December 2016 with his bachelor’s degree.
“It feels awesome to sign an MLS contract, that has been my goal since I was a little kid so I’m very excited and honored to receive this opportunity,” Wehan said. “My journey to this point has been full of ups and downs and honestly, the down times have taught me some great lessons and have given me the most motivation.
“I am excited for every day I get to truly do something that I love. I’m so thankful for all the friends and family that have shown me support over the years and I hope to continue to make the New Mexico community proud.”
HANSEN UPDATE
Niko Hansen competed in 14 games for Columbus Crew SC this past season including three starts while scoring one goal and recording two assists on the season.
Hansen made his MLS debut for Crew SC in a home match against the Portland Timbers, coming on as a substitute in the second half and scoring his first career MLS goal and gamewinner in the 84th minute. He also made one substitute appearance at right midfield in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs, a substitute appearance in a road match against Atlanta United FC in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round and scored a goal in the penalty-kick shootout.