Nov. 7, 2004
For the third time in four years the University of New Mexico men’s soccer team’s dance card will be full in the post season as the Lobos advance to the 2004 NCAA Tournament with a 1-0, win over Sacramento State. The second-ranked Lobos (15-1-1, 9-1-1) punched their ticket to the Big Dance by clinching the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular season title with today’s victory over the Hornets (5-11-1, 4-7-0 MPSF). Junior Lance Watson scored the game-winner in the 10th minute of play, while the Lobo defense set a school record with its 10th shutout of the season.
New Mexico came out of the box firing away at the Hornet defense, posting eight shots in the opening half and forcing Hornet keeper Matt McDougall to make four saves. The Lobos broke through early when junior Jeff Rowland found Watson with a pass. Watson fired a low corner shot to the near post that beat McDougall for the 1-0, lead. It was Watson’s seventh goal of the season, tying his career-high output from last year. It was also Rowland’s career-high fourth assist of the year.
Junior Jeff Rowland scored his 38th point of the year, two off the school record set by Edmundo Rodriguez in 1992. |
UNM dominated the match, firing 16 shots compared to Sacramento State’s nine. Senior keeper Andrew Weber recorded his eighth shutout of the season, making five saves in the match. Weber is now the Lobo career leader in games played (80), shutouts (24), minutes played (7,391), goalie wins (47) and saves (343).
The Lobos’ 15 wins on the season are second only to the 2002 squad that posted an 18-4-0 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. UNM also set a new program record with nine wins in conference play and secures a regular season conference title for the second time in school history. The MPSF eliminated its post season tournament this year, playing a double round-robin format during the regular season. As a result, its automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament goes to the regular season winner.
Head coach Jeremy Fishbein has the Lobos dancing for the second time in his three years as head coach. |
In men’s soccer, 48 teams are invited to the NCAA Tournament, with 16 teams receiving a first-round bye. The first four rounds are played at home sites, with the College Cup being held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The 2004 NCAA Tournament Brackets will be announced on Monday, November 15, but the Lobos still have plenty of work to do in the meantime.
UNM’s final regular season game is Senior Day on Sunday, November 14, at 1:00 p.m. against San Jose State (5-11-1, 4-6-0 MPSF) at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos are still fighting for a first-round bye and a possible seed as one of the top-eight teams in the NCAA Tournament.