Nov. 9, 2003
Box Score
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team secured the second seed in next week’s Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tournament with a 3-2 (OT) win over San Diego State this afternoon. Sophomore Jeff Rowland scored two goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to give the Lobos their fourth-straight win. UNM (7-8-3, 4-2-0 MPSF) also secured a first-round bye in the MPSF tournament, which begins on Thursday, November 13, 2003 in Sacramento, Calif.
The Lobos came into today’s match on a three-game winning streak that included three shutouts and a lot of momentum. San Diego State (8-7-3, 2-2-2 MPSF) was playing in their third match of the week and had just defeated Air Force, 3-2, on Friday. Both teams were fighting for the No. 2 seed in the MPSF tournament.
New Mexico found the back of the net first when Rowland headed home a pass from sophomore Casey Thompson for a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute of play. It was Thompson’s first career point and the fifth goal of the year for Rowland.
The Aztecs evened the score ten minutes later when Matt Couch headed Ryan Curtis’ throw in past Lobo keeper Andrew Weber. It was the first goal the Lobos had given up in 367 minutes of play. The game was deadlocked, 1-1, going into halftime, even though the Lobos out-shot SDSU, 8-4.
The Aztecs came out in the second frame firing 11 shots at the Lobo defense, while UNM only managed three of their own. Fortunately for New Mexico, sophomore Erik Bagwell’s shot in the 85th minute sailed past Aztec keeper Colin Hanke for a 2-1 lead. Bagwell’s first goal of the season seemed to give the Lobos the win, but UNM was whistled for a hand-ball in the box with 36 seconds left in the game. SDSU’s Kevin Sapanli stepped up and converted the PK, sending the game into overtime.
In the extra frame, New Mexico sealed the win when Rowland put home a cross from senior Stian Eriksen for his second score of the game. The win means the Lobos will only have to win two games to go to the NCAA tournament, due to their first round bye in the MPSF Championships next week. The Lobos are the two-time defending MPSF Tournament Champions.
UNM will play on Friday, November 14 against the winner of the first round match between No. 6 Air Force and No. 3 UNLV. These two teams face off in the opening match of the MPSF Tournament on Thursday, November 13, 2003 at 4:30 p.m. (P.S.T.). Game-time Friday will be determine by the other first round match between host Sacramento State and San Diego State. If Sacramento State wins, the Lobos will play at 4:30 p.m. (P.S.T.) on Friday. If San Diego State wins, the Lobos will play at 7:00 p.m. (P.S.T.) on Friday.