Sept. 18, 2005
The second-ranked University of New Mexico men’s soccer team scored a 1-0 win over James Madison in the final game of the TLC Plumbing and Utility Invitational at the UNM Soccer Complex today. Seniors Lance Watson and Cody Hanna hooked up for the game-winning score late in the second half, moving the Lobos to 6-0-0 on the year.
The Dukes came out of the locker room on the offensive in the early part of the game, earning a pair of corner kicks in the opening five minutes. However, JMU (3-2-1) packed it in for most of the match, trying to keep the Lobos off the board. Despite playing the first half on the offensive side of the field, UNM only managed five shots in the opening frame and Dukes keeper Kevin Trapp was only forced to make one save.
The second half was much of the same with James Madison playing back and staying on the defensive side. New Mexico made numerous runs in the second period, including four corner kicks. One of those corners almost resulted in the go-ahead goal in the 69th minute when Watson fired a cross into the middle. Senior Jeff Rowland got a good header off, but Trapp was there for the save.
The decisive play came five minutes later when Watson made a run down the left side. He beat a defender to the inside and passed the ball back to Hanna. Hanna went high with his shot and found the back of the net for his second game-winner of the weekend. It was Watson’s team-leading fourth assist of the year and Hanna’s second career goal.
“I saw the ball go outside to Lance,” stated Hanna. “He cut it back, slid past the defender and was looking right at me. I just called for the ball and finished it from there. “
Hanna is a fifth-year senior who graduated from Albuquerque’s St. Pius X High School and transferred back to UNM from SMU in 2003. He only saw action in nine games last season, but has started the last four in the midfield. Hanna took advantage of his opportunities this weekend in front of the home crowd, scoring game-winning goals against James Madison and Wisconsin and earning MVP honors of the TLC Plumbing and Utility Invite.
“I haven’t had very much playing time in my career,” continued Hanna. “It is just great to do it at home in front of a great crowd and get two game-winners. I was a little disappointed with my overall play, but I can’t complain with two goals. “
New Mexico outshot the Dukes 16-5 on the game and had five corners compared to JMU’s four. Lobo keeper Mike Graczyk earned his fourth shutout of the season, despite not having to make a save in the game. UNM also had to play with three injured starters, including senior left-back Matt Wootton who did not play due to an ankle injury. Sophomore midfielder David Gulaldrama and forward Blake Danaher both saw limited action today. Freshman Mike Giffin played 90 solid minutes in Wootton’s place and the rest of the Lobos picked up the other spots.
“It is good to get a result,” said UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein. “We had three starters out and showed we had a little bit of depth. It is a tough game to play mentally and physically, being the second game of the tournament. James Madison came out and played not to lose rather than to win and they did that very effectively. I would like to have seen us score a few more goals and be a little more crisp, but we’re happy with those results. “
UNM next travels to Tulsa, Okla., for the Hurricane Classic at the University of Tulsa. The Lobos take on SMU on Friday, Sept. 23, at 4:30 p.m. (M.D.T.) and Tulsa on Sunday, Sept. 25, at 12:30 p.m. (M.D.T.).