Aug. 29, 2004
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team defeated Fort Lewis College, 1-0, in an exhibition match tonight at the UNM Soccer Complex. The 28-ranked Lobos scored the decisive goal in the 74th minute when freshman Blake Danaher scored off an assist from junior Cody Hanna and sophomore Andrew Boyens.
The Lobos controlled the tempo for most of the game, out-shooting the Skyhawks 14-4. New Mexico was only forced to make two saves on the night, one by senior keeper Andrew Weber and the other by junior defender Matt Wootton. On the other side of the field, FLC’s Nick Clark faced eight shots-on-goal and recorded seven saves.
UNM spread the minutes around, with 21 players seeing action. Head coach Jeremy Fishbein is still looking for a solid mix of returning players and newcomers. As a result, he is moving players around the field. Junior Brandon Moss played 90 minutes at the midfield spot, moving up from his usual place on the backline. Another junior, Ben Ashwill moved from the forward position and played 90 minutes at right back.
Redshirt freshman Mike Graczyk saw his first action in a Lobo uniform. The 6-1 keeper from Albuquerque played the entire second half and recorded the win for the Lobos.
Fishbein has stated that the Lobos are going to have to rely on the experience of their returning players to have a successful season. However, it was three members of New Mexico’s 15th ranked recruiting class that scored the game-winning goal. Boyens fired a bomb into the wind and down the left side that Hanna headed forward into the box. The speedy Danaher beat his man to the ball and sent a shot, low-right, past the Skyhawk keeper.
The Lobos travel to Richmond, Va., to open the season in the Virginia Commonwealth Invite against Delaware on Friday, September 3, at 3:30 p.m. (M.D.T.). UNM will then face No. 13 VCU on, Sunday, September 5, at 11:00 a.m. (M.D.T.). New Mexico’s home opener is set for Saturday, September 18, against Columbia at 7:00 p.m. (M.D.T.) at the UNM Soccer Complex on the opening night of the Adidas/Crescent Financial Solutions Invitational. The game against Columbia is “Stuff the Stadium” night with all tickets going for $1.00.