Nov. 9, 2008
Final Stats
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team fell on the road to San Jose State 1-0 today. With the loss, the Lobos drop to 9-6-2 on the season and 5-3-0 in MPSF action. San Jose State improves to 8-5-4 overall and 4-4-1 in MPSF play.
San Jose State scored the game’s only goal in the fifth minute. Nick Cukar put home a through-ball from Hiroki Akiyaya and Sam Shore for what would prove to be the game-winner.
The Lobos were not able to organize much offense, putting up just nine shots in the match. It was their second-lowest shot total of the season. Only two of UNM’s attempts were on-goal while Lobo keeper Justin Fite was force to make six saves to keep the game close.
The Lobos did generate five corners to none for San Jose State, but New Mexico could not get the equalizing goal in the net.
The Lobo loss gives Denver the MPSF title and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers are 9-5-2 overall and 7-0-1 in MPSF action with two matches to play. New Mexico’s string of four consecutive conference titles is snapped and its three losses in conference play are the most under current head coach Jeremy Fishbein.
Today’s loss was also the first by a Lobo squad at San Jose State since Fishbein took over the program in 2002. UNM came into the match with a 5-0 record at San Jose State under Fishbein. The Spartans had not defeated UNM on their home field since 1997.
The Lobos will need to win both matches at home against Air Force and Denver next weekend to have any chance at an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. With 11 wins and victories over No. 2 Akron and top-25 ranked Michigan State, New Mexico would still have a slim chance to get into the tournament.
The Air Force match is set for 7:00 p.m. (M.S.T.) at the UNM Soccer Complex on Friday, Nov. 14. The Lobos host Denver on Senior Day on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 1:00 p.m.