Nov. 12, 2005
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team has a chance to clinch its third Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title in four years Sunday against Air Force (8-8-2, 6-2-1 MPSF) at 1:00 p.m. at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Falcons and San Jose State (10-5-3, 6-2-1 MPSF) are the only other teams in the MPSF that still have a chance at the league title.
The No. 3 Lobos will honor nine players on Senior Day against Air Force. With a four-year record of 57-15-7 (.766), this crop of Lobos is the winningest class in school history. In three previous seasons, UNM has won two MPSF Titles and twice advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Last season, the Lobos earned a No. 1 ranking for the first time in school history and made it to the third round of the NCAA Championships for the first time. They have been ranked in the top-5 in the nation for the entire 2005 season. Here are the nine seniors to be honored.
Ben Ashwill Defender Albuquerque, N.M. Sandia HS
Ben Ashwill’s commitment to UNM prior to the 2002 season sparked an influx of the most talented group of New Mexico high school players to ever wear a Lobo uniform. Starting his career as a forward, Ashwill scored 18 goals in two seasons, including the game-winner against San Jose State in the finals of the 2002 MPSF Tournament that sent UNM to its second NCAA Tournament. He also earned freshman All-American following his 12 goals in 2002. The three-time All-MPSF player switched to defender following his sophomore year and has become one of the best in the region on defense. He ranks eight all-time at UNM with 19 career goals and will move into the top-10 in games played and started by the end of the season. In his career, Ashwill has earned National Team of the Week honors three times and is a two-time MPSF Player of the Week award winner. He is also a two-time Academic All-American, carrying a 3.62 g.p.a. in Management Information Systems.
Erik Bagwell Forward Portland, Ore. U.S. Grant HS
Erik Bagwell is the lone fifth-year player on the squad and has seen his contributions to Lobo soccer increase each season at New Mexico. He has played in 12 games this year with four starts and scored a goal against UNLV on Oct. 22. He has 12 career points on five goals and two assists and has seen action in 60 games in a Lobo uniform. The two-time academic All-MPSF and 2005 academic all-district honoree has a 3.26 g.p.a. in Political Science and will graduate in May.
Josh Brown Defender Portland, Ore. Portland
Josh Brown transferred to UNM prior to the start of the 2005 season after leading the University of Portland to three, consecutive NCAA tournament appearances. Brown has started all but one game and has played nearly every minute for the Lobo defense. His physical play has led UNM in the backline and the Lobos’ 0.68 goals-against-average is the lowest in the MPSF and ranks 18th in the nation. Brown will graduate with a degree in Sociology.
Cody Hanna Midfielder Albuquerque, N.M. SMU
Cody Hanna transferred to UNM from SMU prior to the 2003 season and played in nine games as a junior in 2004. The former New Mexico Youth Player of the Year had a breakout season in 2005, scoring four goals and two assists in 16 games this season. He had the game-winning scores against Wisconsin, James Madison and Denver. Hanna has also earned an MPSF Player of the Week and National Team of the Week honor this season to go along with an academic all-district award. He has a 3.55 g.p.a. in marketing and will graduate in May.
Ryan McVay Midfielder Hobbs, N.M. Hobb HS
Ryan McVay has been a steady performer in his four years in a Lobo uniform. Another New Mexico product, McVay has seen action in 51 games and over 1500 minutes. He has also been a part of two NCAA Tournament squads and seen action in three NCAA Tournament games. McVay has five career points on a goal and three assists. An academic All-MPSF honoree, McVay will graduate in May with a degree in Political Science.
Brandon Moss Midfielder Albuquerque, N.M. Eldorado HS
Brandon Moss has been an exceptional player and leader for UNM since stepping onto the field in 2002. Over the last four years he has earned freshman All-American recognition, two all-region honors, three all-MPSF awards and the respect of both his teammates, coaches and opponents. He has four career goals and four career assists, despite concentrating most of his game of the defensive side of the ball. Moss will finish his career among the leaders in games played, games started and minutes played at UNM. A 2004 NSCAA Scholar Athlete, Moss is also a two-time academic all-district and academic All-MPSF award winner. Moss has a 3.70 g.p.a. in University Studies and will graduate in May.
Jeff Rowland Forward Albuquerque, N.M. La Cueva HS
Jeff Rowland is a former walk-on who came on to the scene late in his freshman year. He scored three goals in the second half of the 2002 season before leading the Lobos in scoring in 2003. Rowland’s breakout performance came in 2004 when he set a new Lobo record with 45 points on 19 goals and seven assists. He was named the MPSF co-Player of the Year and was a consensus All-American selection. Rowland was also the only player in the country to earn both NSCAA 1st team All-American and ESPN The Magazine 1st Team Academic All-American honors. Rowland has made his mark in the New Mexico record book as well, ranking third all-time in points (97), goals (42) shots (209). With 13 goals and three assists in 2005, Rowland is, once again, leading the MPSF and is among the best offensive players in the nation. He has been National Player of the Week twice in his career and MPSF Player of the Week four times. A 2005 Hermann Trophy Candidate, Rowland is the first Lobo in school history to be considered for college soccer’s national player of the year honor.
Lance Watson Midfielder Nederland, Texas Nederland HS
Over the last four seasons, Lance Watson has been the offensive catalyst in the Lobo midfield. A four-year starter, Watson is one of the top players in the west, having earned two all-region honors and three all-MPSF awards. His speed and ability on the ball has put him near the top in every offense category in New Mexico’s record book. He ranks sixth in points (65) and goals (22) and is second in assists (21) for his career. Having started every game in 2005, Watson is second on the team in scoring with 14 points on three goals and eight assists. Watson is also a two-time academic all-MPSF and academic all-district honoree. He has posted a 3.23 cumulative g.p.a. and will graduate from UNM with a degree in University Studies.
Matt Wootton Defender Colleyville, Texas Colleyville Heritage HS
Probably the most underrated players on the Lobo roster, Matt Wootton has been a four-year starter at left back. The 2004 Academic All-American has eight career assists and will move into the top-10 in career games played before the end of the season. A two-time academic all-district and academic all-MPSF honoree, Wootton has started 16 games for the Lobo backline in 2005. He has led UNM to 10 shutouts and a league-leading 0.68 goals against average. Carrying a 3.87 cumulative g.p.a., Wootton will graduate from UNM in May with a degree in marketing.