Nov. 26, 2005
Recap | Final Stats | Photo Gallery
New Mexico Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein
“That was a great game. Northridge played well. We had our chances in the first half, we should have put some in the net, but it was a battle. The second half went a little bit each way, our defense held tough and it was great win in OT. I had the confidence in our guys.”
(on the game-winning goal):
“It was great. Lars Loeseth did some magic in the box, the ball squirted loose and (Jeff) Rowland had a great finish – his 15th goal of the season.”
(on the match-up with California):
“That’s a solid team, a good veteran team, but I know we have a great team too.”
New Mexico Senior Forward Jeff Rowland
(on the Lobos’ winning in overtime in back-to-back NCAA Tournament games):
“We don’t want to do it that way, but whatever it takes to win I’m happy with. As long as I get the result.”
(on advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Tournament for the first time):
“It feels great. I don’t think we’re done either. I think this is a good group of guys and I think we’re going to make it to the final four. One more game at home with these fans – these guys have been awesome.”
(on facing California next Friday):
“Cal is going to be tough, but if we play our best and we’re at home with this crowd – I think we can win that game.”
(on the team’s mental approach after regulation):
“Everybody was telling each other ‘let’s just be calm, confident and we’re going to get this game done,’ and we came out and did it. Just stay calm, that’s all we thought about. We’ve been here before.”
New Mexico Sophomore Goalkeeper Mike Graczyk
(on Cal State Northridge’s final scoring chance in the 2nd half):
“It was pretty close. I think for the most part I had it decently covered, so it wasn’t anything too dramatic. Then to give the corner at the end was just another little stress, but we got through it and Jeff (Rowland) came up big (with the game-winning goal in overtime).”
(on the Lobos advancing to the Elite 8 for the first time):
“I’ll tell you what, these seniors deserve every little bit of it. They started it and if we can just finish with a trophy – we’re not really that happy with an NCAA Final Four, we want that trophy. Every tournament that we’ve played in this year, we’ve gotten our hands on some hardware and we’re hoping to end with some too.”
(on the Rowland’s game-winning goal):
“I didn’t even think he had time to get the shot off, then he struck it with the outside of the foot and as soon as he hit it I thought, ‘Man, unless the keeper comes up with an amazing save, that’s going in.’ Once it hit the back of the net, I was just in awe. I couldn’t believe it.”
(on the New Mexico home crowd the past two games):
“We couldn’t have done it without this crowd. I’m not going to lie. These fans are amazing. The students that come down the sidelines, everyone who comes out to support us – we couldn’t ask for a better way for the city to treat our program. To support soccer in the way they’re supporting soccer is amazing. We can be nothing but thankful for them.”
Cal State Northridge Head Coach Terry Davila
“In the second half, I thought we dominated. I thought we created the better chances, quality opportunities and good looks at the goal. I thought there was a penalty kick late in the game that [the officials] missed and I thought we dominate the second half. [New Mexico] had the better end of the first half and I thought we dominated the second half. I thought it should have been our game, but bottom line we didn’t put the ball in the back of the net. They’re a good team, they’re resilient, they’re tough and they won the game.”
(on the Lobos’ home crowd):
“It’s a hostile area, they’ve got the home field advantage and I thought the crowd behind them, but you know what, we silenced them. We played beautiful soccer and we went right through them. Of course I’m disappointed with the result, but so be it. I’m very proud of this group. I thought we did enough to deserve to win the game.”