Aug. 14, 2008
by Matt Cherrin
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The foundation for the 2008 Lobo men’s soccer team begins with the defense. Fishbein described New Mexico’s two junior defenders as the best defensive duo in the country. Simon Ejdemyr and Zach Tierney have set high expectations for the team, hoping to perform at a high level and eventually have a chance to win a national championship.
New Mexico’s backline might be its most experienced area on the field. Ejdemyr and Tierney will nail down the center-back positions after earning spots on the NSCAA All-Far West Region Team last year. Tierney was a second team All-Far West Region member and first team All-MPSF last season. He has six career assists in 37 games at UNM.
“What’s good about our team is that everyone can play 90 minutes,” Tierney said. “Our team feels like a family, and we have one of the top defenses in the country. I feel that it is my responsibility to be a vocal leader on this team and keep the defense organized.”
Zach Tierney was second team All-Far West Region in 2007. |
Ejdemyr’s 6-5 frame has helped him lay claim to two straight first team All-MPSF honors. Besides being an all-region defender, Ejdemyr also has the ability to add to the offensive side of the ball. Last season he netted four goals from the backline.
“Those guys complement each other very well,” added Fishbein. “Zach has great field sense and is extremely athletic. Simon is one of our leaders with tremendous maturity. He has excelled in numerous big games and is dominant in the air. We feel they make up the best tandem in the country as far as center-backs are concerned.”
Sophomore Ryan Farquharson played every game at right-back last season. He was third on the team with 1,607 minutes, but is coming off surgery and missed all of the Lobos’ spring action. Senior Mike Porter moved from the midfield to right-back in the spring and will compete with Farquharson for the position in the fall. Porter has played in the back and midfield throughout his career and was a second team All-MPSF selection as a sophomore. Both Farquharson and Porter have the ability to play multiple positions and both are expected to see plenty of time on the field, regardless of who is playing the right-back slot.
Senior Mike Porter could see time in the backline or midfield this season. |
“Farquharson had surgery in the offseason and is now back at 100%, however, he didn’t have the benefit of playing in any of our spring games,” stated Fishbein. “Porter claimed that right-back spot in spring play. It is going to be some tough competition to see who locks down that job.”
Junior Stephen Brown started 16 games at left-back which is not his most dominant position. Brown looks to move back up to the midfield or forward line, opening the left-back position to any of a number of newcomers. Sophomore David Murphy could fill that role after transferring to UNM from Wake Forest. Murphy was one of the top players in the nation coming out of high school, but has had two injury-plagued seasons of college soccer. Left-footed Gal Yaar comes to UNM from Israel, where he played against his country’s top club competition. The 22-year old defender will also have a chance at earning the starting job at left-back.
“Murphy is a very talented player who has had a lot of tough luck,” said Fishbein. “He has been injured off and on in his first two years of college soccer and is recovering from offseason knee surgery. However, he was one of the top players in the nation coming out of high school and we know he can reach that level again if he works hard. Gal is a very mature player who has the skills and experience to fill the left-back position. It is another one of those spots where competition for playing time is going to be tough.”
Sophomore Ryan Farquharson was the starting right-back last year. |
Other defenders looking to break into the lineup include sophomores Andrew Parsons and James Urbany and freshman Travis Campbell. Parsons and Urbany can both play in the back or midfield. Parsons saw action in six games last season as a redshirt freshman while Urbany scored a goal in eight games as a true freshman. Campbell, a native of Phoenix, Ariz., spent the summer leading his club team, the Cisco Toros, to the 2008 Far West Region title.
Ejdemyr is excited about the incoming freshman this year. “Our freshman will be a great addition to the team,” he said. “We’re going to take every game as it comes and hopefully that leads to a chance for a top seed when the NCAA Tournament rolls around.”
The 19th-ranked Lobos and No. 3 Notre Dame will strap on their shin guards and team up with the American Cancer Society to “Kick Cancer” for their pre-season exhibition game at the UNM Soccer Complex on Wednesday, August 20 at 7:00 p.m. (M.D.T.). Following the game the Lobos will be auctioning off team jerseys and other items to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. Entry to this game is free but the American Cancer Society will be at the gate taking donations from Lobo fans to help the team “Kick Cancer.” Society staff and volunteers will be on hand to help answer questions and provide information on available programs, services, fundraising and volunteer opportunities.
Be sure to check back on Friday, Aug. 15, for an update on the loaded Lobo midfield.
Matt Cherrin is a senior in UNM’s Department of Communication & Journalism. He will be covering Lobo men’s soccer throughout the 2008 season.