Nov. 15, 2004
2004 Men’s Soccer NCAA Tournament Bracket
Download Free Acrobat Reader
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team got a triple-dose of good news this afternoon, earning the school’s first ever No. 1 ranking in this week’s Soccer America Top-25, getting a first-round bye in the 2004 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament and getting a home game in the second round of the Tournament. The Lobos will play host to the winner of the Portland-Washington game on November 19 in Seattle, Wash, at 7:00 p.m. (M.S.T).
New Mexico’s second round game will be held at the UNM Soccer Complex on Tuesday, November 23, at 7:00 p.m. (M.S.T.). This will be the first time UNM has hosted a men’s soccer NCAA Tournament game.
The Lobos are making their third trip to the NCAA Tournament in the last four seasons after finishing with a 16-1-1 record, including a 10-1-1 mark in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation. UNM won its second MPSF regular season title in the last three years, earning the Federation’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championships.
The Lobos have spent the last four weeks ranked No. 2 in the Soccer America Top-25, but took over the top spot this week for the first time in school history. New Mexico is the 13th seed in the Tournament, despite their top ranking.
All three of UNM’s trips to the NCAA Tournament have come in the last four years. In 2001, New Mexico won the MPSF Tournament to earn its first NCAA bid. In long-time head coach Klaus Weber’s final year, UNM defeated Florida International, 1-0, in the opening round before falling to No. 1 SMU, 2-0, in the second round. In 2002, current head coach Jeremy Fishbein’s first season, the Lobos won the MPSF regular season and tournament titles before defeating Bradley, 2-1, in the first round. UNM fell to No. 18 Saint Louis, 1-0, in the second. All four of the Lobos’ previous NCAA games have been on the road.
Tickets for New Mexico’s second round game will be available prior to the game. Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for youth and students.
The NCAA field includes 48 teams, with the 16 seeded teams receiving first round byes. The first four rounds will be held at campus sites, while the semifinals and finals of the 2004 College Cup will be held at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., Dec. 10 and Dec. 12.