Dec. 2, 2005
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team has gone from `California Dreamin’ to having Carolina on their minds. The Lobos downed California 1-0 in overtime to advance to the College Cup in Cary, N.C., for the first time in school history. Senior Hermann Trophy Semifinalist Jeff Rowland scored his second-straight game-winner in front of a sell-out crowd at the UNM Soccer Complex.
The Bears came out of the locker room on the attack, outshooting UNM 10-6 in the first half. The Lobos, however, created numerous scoring chances of their own, earning seven corner-kicks to Cal’s three.
Cal’s best scoring chance of the game came with 45 seconds left in the first period when sophomore midfielder Andrew Jacobson took a shot from inside the box that looked like a 1-0 lead for the Bears. Jacobson’s attempt went high and hit the crossbar before landing in front of Cal forward Calen Carr. Carr took another shot that Lobo keeper Mike Graczyk saved, keeping the game scoreless at halftime.
The Lobos asserted themselves in the second period, picking up the pressure as the game went on. In the 54th minute, sophomore Blake Danaher challenged two Cal defenders and made his way into the box. A Bear player regained control of the ball but passed it back to his keeper, giving New Mexico an indirect-kick from inside the box. Rowland took the shot, but was blocked by the Bear’s wall.
UNM challenged again in the 85th minute when senior Lance Watson took a run down the right side. Watson made a move to the middle and fired a rocket at Cal keeper Erik Kronberg. Kronberg made a great save but couldn’t control the ball as it sailed high and hit the crossbar. Danaher was waiting to head the shot in, but the ball landed harmlessly on the top of the net.
The Lobos almost ended the game in regulation with two minutes left in the game. Junior Lars Loeseth intercepted a pass in the box and took a shot that went just wide of the right post. After 90 minutes the score was tied and New Mexico found itself in its fourth-consecutive overtime match.
The winning play came in the 94th minute when senior Brandon Moss sent a ball down the right side. Fellow senior Ben Ashwill took the pass to the end-line and sent a cross to the middle. Rowland was in perfect position and swept the ball in the back of the net for the win and igniting the 5,600 Lobo fans in attendance.
With the win, New Mexico improves to 17-1-3 on the year, tying the second-most wins in school history. The Lobos also scored its school-record 13th shutout of the season. Cal falls to 14-4-3 on the year after advancing to its first ever quarterfinal match.
UNM is now 6-1-3 in overtime games this season. The Lobos’ 11 corners were the second-highest total of the season. Shots were even in the game, but UNM put 10 on-goal while Graczyk was forced to make only four saves.
The Lobos will now face Clemson in the College Cup Semifinals on Dec. 9 at the SAS Soccer Stadium in Cary, N.C., a suburb of Raleigh. Game time is not set, but the game will be broadcast by ESPNU at either 2:00 or 4:30 p.m. (M.S.T.). For travel information from Albuquerque to the College Cup, call Classic Travel at (505) 888-4448. For ticket information you can call (919) 865-1510 or visit www.GoPack.com.