Aug. 15, 2008
2008 Season Outlook | Keepers | Defenders
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American Cancer Society and Lobo Soccer to Team Up for Notre Dame Exhibition
by Matt Cherrin
There is talent all through the Lobo midfield for the 2008 season, and UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein will have plenty of options on the field. Beginning with senior Jack Smithson and junior Justin Davis, New Mexico has a number of players who could see time in the midfield.
Smithson is a two-time All-MPSF performer and has five goals and seven assists in his career. Last season, he was fifth on the team in scoring, netting two goals and four assists. Smithson feels the Lobos have a swagger this year that has helped the team communicate throughout the offseason. “Everyone’s on the same page,” Smithson said. “Hopefully our team sticks together so we can have a complete and fulfilling season. Our spring workouts and coaching has prepared us to be competitive in every game.”
Davis had an excellent sophomore season, finishing second on the team in scoring with five goals and three assists. Three of his five goals were game-winners in 2007. A surprising omission from the All-MPSF team, the left-footed Davis will definitely be one of the top players in the league in 2008. Davis is a versatile player, which he showed last year when he played both midfield and defense. Both Smithson and Davis want to contribute more to the offensive side of the ball by creating more shots for the forwards and scoring more goals.
“Smithson has improved each year and at times was our most creative attacking player,” said Fishbein. “JD is a very difficult match-up to opposing teams on the left side. He really came on last year and we expect him to continue his success this season.”
Also expected to be major contributors in the midfield are junior Stephen Brown and sophomore Michael Reed. Brown is a two-time All-MPSF selection, but spent the majority of last season at left-back. He is expected to move back in the midfield or up front where he was second on the team in scoring with four goals and two assists as a freshman. Reed is entering his third season with the Lobos, but his first as a 100% healthy participant. The former New Mexico High School Player of the Year is set for a breakout season as a center-midfielder after recording two assists in 17 games in 2007. Also returning in the midfield is sophomore Dominique Romero. Romero added an assist in six games of action as a redshirt freshman last season.
Junior Justin Davis was second on the team in scoring last season with five goals and three assists. |
“We know Brown is excellent at left-back, but we feel he is more valuable in the attack,” explained Fishbein. “He is able to play many positions on the field, but when he is on, we think he is one of the best attacking players we have. Michael is finally recovered from a knee injury he suffered before his freshman season. He started playing well at the end of last season and we expect him to be a big part or our rotation this season. Dom is coming off surgery in the offseason and once he recovers could also be a factor in the midfield.”
Joining the Lobo midfield are five talented newcomers who will push for playing time. Junior Euan Holden and freshman Michael Green highlight this group of new Lobos. Holden transferred to UNM from UConn and could have an immediate impact. A left-footed player, Holden has the ability to fill almost any spot on the field. He scored two goals in 36 games in his first two years at UConn. Green just finished his first stint with the U.S. U-20 National Team in the Northern Ireland Milk Cup. He is a 2007 NSCAA High School All-American and the Ohio Player of the Year. Green is also expected to be an impact player in the Lobo midfield.
Junior Stephen Brown plans to move up from the backline and into the attack in 2008. |
“Euan has the ability and maturity to come in and play right away for us,” stated Fishbein. “He comes from one of the top programs in the country and we expect big things from him. Green is a very special player who is a very composed young man. If he can deal with all of the changes associated with coming into a college environment, he should be a great addition to our program.”
One other player with the skills to see the field right away is freshman Lance Rozeboom. He graduated early from Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and joined the Lobo program in the spring. He started every game in the spring season and looks to continue to be an impact player in the fall. “Rozeboom was very impressive in the spring and now has the confidence needed to compete for playing time in the fall,” added Fishbein.
Two other players joining the Lobo midfield are freshmen Masashi Shibuya and Gary Weisbaum. Shibuya is a two-time adidas ESP participant from Scottsdale, Ariz. Weisbaum joins the Lobos from Baltimore, Md., where he was a two-time all-state player for Pikesville High School.
“Masashi is a very exciting attacking player and we really like Weisbaum’s toughness and leadership qualities,” stated Fishbein. “Their challenges will be how quickly can they both adapt to the speed and physical play in the college game. The quicker they can adjust, the quicker they will be able to see time on the field.”
Davis says the lobo midfield has a mature squad that will hopefully lead them to a conference championship. “I’ve grown a lot from the beginning of my career,” Davis said. “I learned a lot from my old teammates that will help me be a better leader. I want to pass that along to the new guys and help us to continue to be a championships program.”
Sophomore Michael Reed is poised for a breakout 2008 season. |
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 Saturday, Aug. 16, for an update on the loaded Lobo forwards.
Matt Cherrin is a senior in UNM’s Department of Communication & Journalism. He will be covering Lobo men’s soccer throughout the 2008 season.