Sept. 29, 2006
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team got off to a bad start to its Mountain Pacific Sports Federation season with a 1-0 loss to Denver today. The 12th-ranked Lobos (5-3-2, 0-1-0 MPSF) snapped their three game winning streak and were shutout for the fourth time this season. With the win, the Pioneers improve to 5-3-1 and 1-0-0 in MPSF action.
The first half was controlled by the Pioneers as they outshot UNM 8-2 in the opening frame. Lobo keeper Mike Graczyk was force to make a pair of great saves, first off a header by Colin Jones in the third minute and then on a shot by Greg Fiddick that was deflected off of the left post.
The game winner came in the 23rd minute when Pioneer sophomore Joey Mathot caught Graczyk by surprise from 40 yards out, sending the ball through Graczyk’s legs for the 1-0 lead.
Denver almost scored again on a breakaway by James Merriman with less than three minutes left in the first half. Freshman defender Simon Ejdemyr pulled down Merriman from behind and was issued a red card for the play and ejected from the game.
The Lobos came out fighting the second half, posting nine shots to Denver’s seven. UNM’s best chance at a goal was halfway through the second period when senior Hermann Trophy Candidate Andrew Boyens headed the ball that was saved by DU keeper Matt Bredehoft.
UNM was unable to find the equalizing score, falling at Denver for the second time in three years. The Lobos travel to Air Force on Sunday for a 1:00 p.m. (M.D.T.) match against the Falcons. Air Force (2-6-1, 1-0-0 MPSF) defeated UNLV (0-7-2, 0-1-0 MPSF) 1-0 in overtime tonight in Colorado Springs, Colo. You can follow all of the action through GameTracker available on GoLobos.com. UNM returns home on Friday, Oct. 6, against San Jose State at 7:00 p.m. (M.D.T.).