Feb. 4, 2009
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.–The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team has signed six top tier student-athletes to National Letters of Intent today. Head coach Jeremy Fishbein has assembled yet another top notch recruiting class to add even further depth to an already strong and experienced Lobo squad. The list includes forward Josh Caffey from Temple Texas, New Mexico natives, midfielder Patrick Pacheco, midfielder Julian Roberts, and forward/midfielder Lawrence Robledo, forward/midfielder Blake Smith from Boerne, Texas and defender Kyle Venter from Aurora, Colo. All six boast strong resumes both in the classroom and on the playing field.
“We are very excited about this incoming class,” said head coach Jeremy Fishbein. “The six incoming players add tremendous talent to a very cohesive team which returns tremendous firepower and experience. These student-athletes posses the characteristics we are looking for in Lobo soccer players; integrity, desire, work ethic and a passion for excellence.”
“These players will make an instant contribution to our program,” he continued. “They will be joining a experienced group of players who will help them appreciate what it takes to be a part of a Lobo program committed to excellence with sights set on a championship season in 2009.”
| Name | HT/WT | Position | Hometowm/High School |
| Josh Caffey | 6-3 / 175 | Forward | Temple, Texas / Belton HS |
| Patrick Pacheco | 5-11 / 160 | Midfielder | Taos, N.M / Taos HS |
| Julian Roberts | 5-8 / 140 | Midfielder | Rio Rancho, N.M. / Rio Rancho HS |
| Lawrence Robledo | 5-10 / 150 | Forward/MF | Albuquerque, N.M. / La Cueva HS |
| Blake Smith | 5-10 / 150 | Forward/MF | Boerne, Texas / Boerne HS |
| Kyle Venter | 6-2 / 185 | Defender | Aurora, Colo. / Smoky Hill HS |
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Josh Caffey – Temple, Texas – Forward – 6-3 / 175 – Belton HS
Four year starter for head coach Tercisio Mosnia… played on three district championship teams from 2006-08… earned district Most Valuable Player honors in 2008… named the district newcomer of the year in 2006… earned first team all-district honors all four years of high school…named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas High School Boys All-Region VI team in 2008… selected first team Waco Tribune Herald after his sophomore and junior seasons… a member of the USSF Developmental Academy Lonestar Soccer team which took second place at the 2008 Disney Cup.
Coach Fishbein on Caffey:Josh is a young man I’m extremely excited about. He’s a big, physical, athletic forward with a knack for scoring goals. He’s very intelligent and academically motivated. Josh is everything we could ask for in a Lobo soccer player.
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Patrick Pacheco – Taos, N.M. – Midfielder – 5-11 / 160 – Taos HS
Played four years for head coach Jake Mossman… school record holder for most goals in a season (32) and most assists (16) in a season… all-time leading goal scorer at THS with 67 goals and 36 assists in a four year span… earned first team all-district honors all four years and was named the 2008 district player of the year… named second team all-state in 2007 and 2008… team captain of the six-time state champion Classic Red Star club team… was named team captain of Classic Red Star in 2008… was named team captain of the 1991 ODP Region IV team which traveled to Italy in the spring of 2008.
Coach Fishbein on Pacheco:
Patrick has been extremely successful at the high school and the club level. He has represented the Region IV Olympic Development Program and has excelled on the international stage. He’s a tremendous athlete and a very well rounded young man. Patrick is going to blossom in the college environment when surrounded by competitive soccer on a daily basis.
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Julian Roberts – Rio Rancho, N.M. – Midfielder – 5-8 / 140 – Rio Rancho HS
Earned two varsity letters for head coach John Shepard… named first team all district in 2007… played on two district championship teams in 2007 and 2008… received the best all-around player coaches award in 2006… named best defensive player in 2005…made the honor roll three out of four years in high school… played on the six-time state champion Classic Red Star club team.
Coach Fishbein on Roberts:
Julian is pound-for-pound the toughest kid I have seen this year. He is a warrior, he is in every play and has a natural aptitude for the game. Julian is the kind of competitor you dream of coaching. He is going to be fun to watch in a Lobo uniform.
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Lawrence Robledo – Albuquerque, N.M. – Forward/Midfielder – 5-10 / 150 – La Cueva HS
A three year letter winner for head coach Larry Waters… member of the 2008 state championship team… named first team all-district from 2007-09… named second team all-state as a senior and all-state honorable mention in his junior year…was the fifth leading scorer in district 5A with 19 goals and 17 assists and totaling 55 points his senior year… played club soccer for the six-time State Champion Classic Red Star winner the 2008 Presidents Day Cup Championship.
Coach Fishbein on Robledo:
Lawrence is a very dynamic and versitle soccer player. He has tremendous attacking instincts and great athleticism. His intelligence and dedication will pave the way to great success as a Lobo.
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Blake Smith – Boerne, Texas – Forward/Midfielder – 5-10 / 150 – Boerne Samuel V. Champion HS
A three year letterman for head coach David Rogers…high school team won the 2006 Texas 4A State Championship and were regional quarterfinalists in 2007 and 2008… named first team all-district, first team all-region and second team all-state in 2008… selected as team captain, Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year in 2008… plays for the Classic USSF Developmental Academy team… a member of the National Honor Society.
Coach Fishbein on Smith:
Blake is a very intelligent and driven young man who knows nothing but success. He’s a left sided player with great instincts and a nose for the goal. Blake leaves everything he has on the field and he’s going to be an excellent player for us.
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Kyle Venter – Aurora, Colo. – Defender – 6-2 / 185 – Smoky Hill HS
Three year starter at SHHS… played on two state championship teams his sophomore and junior seasons… named team captain his junior and senior seasons… earned Most Valuable Player his senior season… selected first team all-conference, first team all-city in 2008 and first team all-city and second team all-conference in 2007… earned Colorado All-State Honorable Mention honors in 2007… earned Academic All-State Honorable Mention honors in 2008… a two-time team captain of the USSF Developmental Academy Real Colorado team… led team to fourth place finish at U16 Nationals… selected to U16 West Conference Starting XI.
Coach Fishbein on Venter:
Kyle is a player who has really blossomed in the last year and a half. He has been the captain of every team he’s played for and makes everyone around him better. Kyle is tactically very knowledgeable and has tremendous natural qualities. Kyle is going to be a leader in our program.