Nov. 16, 2008
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The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team added one more note on their 2008 resume with a 1-0 win over No. 25 Denver today. The Lobos are 11-6-2 on the year and finish in second place in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with a 7-3-0 mark. They now must await the decision from the NCAA Men’s Soccer Selection Committee to see if they will advance to their fifth consecutive NCAA Tournament and their seventh in the last nine years.
Denver had already clinched the MPSF title coming into the match, ending with an 8-1-1 mark in league play and 10-6-2 overall. The Pioneers earned the MPSF’s automatic bid despite falling to UNM today.
The Lobos controlled play from the opening kick-off, posting four corners and three shots-on-goal in the first 15 minutes of the match. Only Pioneer keeper Joe Willis, who made eight saves today, kept this from being a blow out.
UNM looked to get on the board in the 27th minute following a cross from junior Zach Tierney. Senior Chris Wright headed the ball to junior Justin Davis who beat Willis to the far post. However, Wright was whistled for a foul on the play and the goal was not allowed.
UNM went into the locker room tied at 0-0 despite outshooting the Pioneers 9-3. The second period was much of the same with UNM controlling play and Denver content to sit back and only counter attack.
The game’s only goal came in the 67th minute when Wright was taken down in the box. Davis had made a move down the left side and sent in a cross from the endline. Wright tried to get out to the ball but was pulled down from behind and UNM was awarded a penalty kick. Junior Simon Ejdemyr stepped up and hit the ensuing PK to give UNM a 1-0 lead.
The Lobo defense completely shut down the Pioneer offense. DU only got off five shots and sophomore keeper Justin Fite was not forced to make a single save in his first career shutout.
The Lobos will now have to sweat out the NCAA Men’s Soccer Selection Show tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. (M.S.T.) on ESPNU. New Mexico’s previous six trips to the postseason have all been through automatic bids. UNM has never earned an at-large bid in men’s soccer.