Oct. 3, 2004
The No. 5 University of New Mexico men’s soccer team equaled a program best record to start the season with its eighth consecutive win in a 3-0, victory over UNLV (1-7-0, 0-2-0 MPSF). The Lobos improved to 8-0-0 (2-0-0 MPSF) for the second time in school history in front of 2,305 fans at the UNM Soccer Complex this afternoon. New Mexico is now one of only two teams – No. 2 Duke (10-0-0) hosts North Carolina at 5:00 p.m. (M.D.T.) tonight – in NCAA Division I with a perfect record.
The Lobos started off sluggish in today’s game and did not score in the first half for just the third time this season. The second half was a different story as senior Patrick Grange scored his third goal of the year in the 57th minute. He took a nice pass from junior Lance Watson in the middle of the box and sent it past Rebel keeper Peter Clitheroe for a 1-0 lead.
New Mexico increased its lead in the 65th minute when Watson fired a free kick into the box from the left side. Junior Jeff Rowland found the back of the net off a header for his Mountain Pacific Sports Federation leading 10th goal of the year and Watson’s second assist of the game for the 2-0 advantage. Watson now has 11 assists for his career, tying for ninth all-time at UNM. It was Rowland’s 20th career goal, moving him into a tie for fifth in the New Mexico record books.
Junior Jeff Rowland scored his 10th goal of the season. |
Watson took matters into his own hands in the 78th minute when he beat his Rebel defender in a one-on-one situation outside of the box on the left side. Watson fired a bullet through the Rebel defense that went low-right for his third goal of the season, putting the Lobos ahead, 3-0.
“It was a good game for us,” stated Watson. “We started out a little sluggish and talked about it at half time and got things going in the second half. We just had some fun.”
UNM’s defense of senior keeper Andrew Weber, sophomore Andrew Boyens and juniors Ricky Francis, Matt Wootton and Ben Ashwill recorded their fourth straight shutout. It marks the third time in school history the Lobos have notched four shutouts in a row and the first time since the 1997 season.
“It was a funny game for us,” stated UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein. “We came out playing great in the first 15 minutes and then got too comfortable and gave up a couple of soft chances. We refocused in the second half and took it to them, but still had some letdowns. Our challenge every time we go on the field is to get better every game. I don’t know if we got better today, but we got the win.”
The Lobos’ shutout seemed to be over late in the game when Rebel Espen Sjoevoll got a shot off in the box on an empty net. However, Francis was there to make the stop and preserve New Mexico’s scoreless streak.
“Watson was the man of the game with a goal and two assists,” continued Fishbein. “Our defense has been solid for us all season. Weber has been solid, along with Boyens, Francis and Ashwill, but Wootton has really played great for us the last couple of games.”
New Mexico will continue MPSF play against Sacramento State (1-6-1, 0-2-0 MPSF) on Sunday, October 10, at 1:00 p.m. (M.D.T.) at the UNM Soccer Complex.