Sept. 24, 2003
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UPCOMING GAMES: UNM heads to Las Vegas, Nev. for a pair of matches against West Coast Conference opponents Cal State Northridge (3-0-2) and Gonzaga (4-3-0). The Lobos face Gonzaga on Friday at 5:00 p.m. (M.D.T.) and then take on 25th ranked Cal State Northridge on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. (M.D.T.). Both games will be played at UNLV. Gonzaga is 3-0-0 against MPSF teams this season and Cal State Northridge is undefeated so far in 2003.
Gonzaga Bulldogs (4-3-0)
Location: Spokane, Wash.
Conference: West Coast
Head Coach: Einar Thorarinsson (Cornell ’75)
Record at Gonzaga: 78-56-9 (9th year)
Career Record: 201-107-22 (18th year)
Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
2002 Record: 5-10-1
2002 Conference Record: 2-3-1 (6th)
UNM vs. Gonzaga: 0-2-0
Last Time: Gonzaga Won 2-1 (9/25/98) at UNM
Top Goal Scorer: Scott Yuska (4)
Top Assists: Arni Pjeturrson (3)
Top Goalie: Vito Higgins (2.10 g.a.a.)
Notes: Gonzaga is 3-0-0 against MPSF opponents in 2003. They defeated Air Force (5-3, on 8/29), Denver (1-0 on 8/31) and Sacramento State (3-0 on 9/21).
Web Site: www.gozags.com
No. 25 Cal State Northridge Matadors (3-0-2)
Location: Northridge, Calif.
Conference: Big West
Head Coach: Terry Davila (CSN ’94)
Record at CSN: 40-35-8 (5th year)
Career Record: same
Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
2002 Record: 14-5-2
2002 Conference Record: 7-2-1 (2nd)
UNM vs. CSN: 3-2-1
Last Time: UNM Won 3-2 (OT) (10/6/00) at home
Top Goal Scorer: Charles Mitchell, Willie Simms (4)
Top Assists: Alec de Mattos, Jesse Servin, Juan Guerrero, Edwin Miranda, Zach Feldman (2)
Top Goalie: Radames LaFaurie (1.12 g.a.a.)
Notes: The Matadors are the fourth ranked team the Lobos have faced this season. UNM has dropped all three matches against ranked teams.
Web Site: www.gomatadors.com
Lobos In the Rankings: The Lobos are not ranked in any of the four polls for the first time this season.
Ranking Reference: There are four major polls for Division I men’s soccer. A ranking references the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Top-25 unless the team is not in the NSCAA Top-25. It that case, the ranking refers to the highest ranking from one of other three polls.
Previous Rankings: The Lobos have only been ranked in three previous season. In 1992, UNM climbed as high as No. 17 in the Soccer America Poll for the week of October 20, 1992. In 1997 the Lobos earned their highest ranking in any poll when they reached No. 15 in the Soccer America Top-20 for the week of November 3, 1997. Last season, the Lobos were ranked as high as No. 22 in the NSCAA Top-25 and CollegeSoccerNews.com Top-30.
All-Tournament Team: Sophomore Jeff Rowland was named the Crescent Financial Solutions Offensive MVP last weekend after scoring two goals and an assist against UC Irvine and Southwest Missouri State. Sophomores Ben Ashwill, Ricky Francis, and Brandon Moss were all named to the all-tournament team.
MPSF Rankings: Sophomore Lance Watson is tied for fifth in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation scoring with eight points and third in goals with four. Sophomore Jeff Rowland is tied for fourth in goals scored with three.
Three Tough Losses: The Lobos three losses this season have come against opponents that were ranked when they faced UNM, and all three losses have been by one goal. The Lobos lost to No. 18 UW Milwaukee (1-0 on 8/31), No. 21 Tulsa (3-2 on 9/12) and No. 9 SMU (1-0 on 9/13). UNM is 7-23-0 all-time against ranked opponents.
UNM’s Record Book: Junior goalkeeper Andrew Weber is moving up the Lobo record book in shutouts and saves. He currently is tied with Dana Rogge (’87) for fourth in shutouts with 13. He needs two more to tie Paul Branch (’85), Nate Busek (’93) and Greg Hess (’97) for the all-time mark of 15. Weber is also in third place in saves with 217 and needs 29 to tie Dana Rogge (’87) for second place at 246. Senior Stian Eriksen has taken 103 shots in his career and ranks 8th all-time at UNM. He needs 10 more shots to tie Troy Beserra (’89) for 7th place.
Lobos at Home: The Lobos are currently on a 14-game undefeated streak at the UNM Soccer Complex. The last time UNM lost at home was a 4-1 defeat to UNLV on November 5, 2001. New Mexico is 12-0-2 during that stretch.