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Men's Soccer Lobos in the Pros: UPDATE

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Summer is officially in full swing and several former Lobos of The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team are continuing the Lobo tradition, representing UNM at the professional level. Here’s a little update on some of our most decorated Lobos with recent news!

Devon Sandoval (2010, 2011, 2012)
Over the last six years since he completed his time with the Lobos, Sandoval has continued to represent UNM and the state of New Mexico throughout the professional ranks. Most recently, Sandoval has been competing for Atlanta United II, part of the United Soccer League (USL) and just welcomed a child, Lyanna Catharine Sandoval, to the world on May 14! 

This week, the USL made an exciting and special announcement that the USL is coming to New Mexico. A new USL team will be created right here in Lobo land and our own Sandoval was the first player to sign!
 

Niko Hansen (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
Drafted 9th overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft, Niko Hansen has seen action in 23 games and has collected eight career starts for Columbus Crew SC. So far this season, he has played in nine matches, starting in five, totaling 451 minutes. He has posted 13 shots including two on goal and has one (awesome) assist on the season.
 

But we might be biased…
 

Chris Wehan (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016)
After earning USL Rookie of the Year honors last season as a member of Reno 1868 FC, Chris Wehan was picked up by Reno’s MLS partner the San Jose Earthquakes. As a member of Reno 1868, Wehan tied the USL record with 12 regular-season assists. Heading into this season, Wehan was marked by the USL as one of the top five players to watch this MLS season.

So far this season, the MLS rookie has seen action in three games, including a pair of starts for a total of 116 minutes on the pitch. He earned his first start on May 19 against DC United, competing against another former Lobo – Oniel Fisher.
 

Oniel Fisher (2013, 2014)
Former Lobo standout Oniel Fisher competed for Seattle Sounders FC for three seasons (2015-2017) logging 1,639 minutes on the pitch in 32 contests including 20 starts. This season Fisher is competing for D.C. United and has started four of his seven games for a total of 438 minutes. Fisher also regularly competes with the Jamaican Full National Team.
 

Aaron Herrera (2015, 2016, 2017)
After a standout career with the Lobos, Aaron Herrera departed early and signed a homegrown contract with Real Salt Lake of the MLS in December 2017. He made his MLS debut on May 26 on the road against the Seattle Sounders, helping RSL to a 1-0 victory over the Sounders. Most recently, he earned his first MLS start on June 6 against Sporting Kansas City.

In his final season at UNM, the defender led the Lobos with 15 points on five goals and five assists. Prior to his final season as a Lobo, Herrera also started in five matches to help the U.S. U-20 National Team win the CONCACAF U-20 Championship for the first time and advance to the quarterfinal round of the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in South Korea.
 

Sam Gleadle (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Sam Gleadle exhausted his collegiate eligibility in 2017 and graduated from UNM in December. Following his graduation, Gleadle signed to former teammate Chris Wehan’s first club, Reno 1868 FC. Gleadle earned his USL debut for Reno 1868 in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup in a 7-3 victory over the Portland Timbers U-23 squad. He also came off the bench in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup against Sacramento Republic. 

In Reno 1868’s game against Portland, Gleadle came through in a key moment. He notched his first assist, a cross into the box to cut a 2-0 deficit to just one, 2-1 at the half, before Reno 1868 went on to take the match 7-3.
 

Jason Beaulieu (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017)
Four-year Lobo keeper Jason Beaulieu graduated from UNM with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in December and capped off an outstanding career for the Lobos in 2017. Following his graduation, he signed a homegrown contract with the Montreal Impact of the MLS. While he has not yet made his debut, he does travel with the squad. 

The 2017 First Team CoSIDA Academic All-American finished his Lobo career ranked third all-time in career shutouts (22), fourth in career saves (244), fifth in all-time career wins (34) and second in all-time career appearances (69). In addition, he holds the fifth-highest consecutive scoreless streak in UNM history with 484:58 minutes.
 

For continued updates on these, and all of our other Lobos in the Pros, be sure to follow the Lobo Soccer twitter account @UNMLoboMSoccer!

 

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