Nov. 14, 2004
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team celebrated senior day with a 2-0, win over San Jose State at the UNM Soccer Complex this afternoon. Junior Jeff Rowland and senior Jeremy Brown both found the back of the net as the Lobos (16-1-1, 10-1-1 MPSF) easily put away the Spartans in their final home game of the regular season.
New Mexico got on the board in the 12th minute when junior Ricky Francis connected with Rowland on a free kick. Francis placed a perfect pass to Rowland who headed in his MPSF-leading, 18th goal of the season. It was the second assist of the year for Francis. Rowland’s 18 goals are one shy of the Lobo single season school record set by Edmundo Rodriguez in 1992.
Jeff Rowland now has 41 points on the season, a new Lobo record. |
San Jose State (5-13-1, 4-8-0 MPSF), who was already without its head coach who received a red card in the game on Thursday against Sacramento State, had nothing to lose in this match and played very physical. Things came to a head in the 42nd minute when junior Matt Wooton was fouled hard on the near side. Spartan midfielder Herber Mora received a red card as a result, putting the Spartans a man down for the rest of the match.
The Lobos were only challenged twice in the match, with Weber coming up with saves in both situations. Both Jose Flores and Eric Rodriguez had shots-on-goal for SJSU late in the game, but Weber was able to post his ninth shutout of the season.
Andrew Weber tied a school record with his ninth shutout of the season. |
UNM put the game away in the 84th minute when Brown took a pass from the top of the box and beat Spartan keeper Daniel Benton. Rowland actually could have gone for the school record on the play, but he passed the ball back to Brown and let the senior get his first career goal in his final home game. Rowland did set a new Lobo record for points in a season on the play. It was his fifth assist of the year, giving him 41 points on the season.
The Lobos will now wait until Monday to find out whom they play in the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament. With a 16-1-1 overall record, it is likely that UNM will host an opening round game. However, pairing will be officially announced at 2:00 p.m. (M.S.T.) on ESPNNews.