Aug. 14, 2009
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — As the University of New Mexico men’s soccer team prepares to enter training camp at 7:30 a.m. on Aug. 15, there’s one thought coursing through the minds of players and coaches — sorting through a seemingly infinite number of lineup combinations to find the right mix.
“I think it’s just a matter of seeing who’s gonna play together, who’s going to complement and work well with each other,” said head coach Jeremy Fishbein. “All coaches will tell you that every position’s up for grabs, but our challenge is to blend returning guys in with new players who can make an impact.”
The Lobos have no shortage of talent to choose from. With 7 starters and 14 lettermen returning, the roster is heavy with veterans. Fishbein feels that maturity and leadership will be the driving force behind this year’s squad. “The key statistic to me is that we have nine fourth year players on the team,” said Fishbein.
Four of these nine players utilized redshirt years and are going to be fourth-year juniors. Add that to five accomplished seniors and it’s apparent that the Lobos will field an experienced team. The outlook for the squad’s 14 freshmen is largely speculative because they’re untested at the collegiate level. But, they will definitely push for playing time alongside an extremely talented sophomore class that has already racked up the minutes in their short time as Lobos.
A recurring theme in preseason talks is that many of the program’s key players are capable of making an impact in different spots on the field. Junior Andrew Parsons noted that changing roles could strain players, if they don’t know their primary position. But training camp is the perfect place to find the right mix before the regular season begins. “It’s great that we have so much depth on our team,” said Parsons. “If there happens to be an injury, someone else can quickly step into that place.”
Sophomore Lance Rozeboom pointed out the team will be able to test players in new positions for certain games, rather than just in practice. “Since we have two games on some weekends, we can do that,” said Rozeboom. “If one group of players doesn’t work on the field on a Friday night, then you may have to test with a different group of players on a Sunday.”
Parsons, Rozeboom, and sophomore Michael Green said team chemistry is playing a large role for this year’s squad. This is the first season the Lobos have utilized the summer months for player-led workouts without coaches, resulting in increased familiarity between team members on and off the field.
“It’s important going in,” said Green. “Last year we were all out of shape mentally and we broke down, but this season I think we’ll be good with the team chemistry. We’ll definitely do better and hopefully we’ll bring back the conference championship.”
Fishbein remains optimistic about the new squad. He said that he’s excited to work with a group of players who are extremely talented and want to embrace personal accountability. “I’m comfortable in the sense that it’s going to be a team that’ll be very cohesive, that’s gonna leave it all out on the field each and every game,” said Fishbein. “That’s all you can ask for. I think it’ll be really satisfying for all of us.”
FORWARDS
Speedy senior P.J. Wilson will pace the Lobos up front, while senior Stephen Brown brings leadership, goal scoring ability, and experience to the front line. Senior Justin Davis led the Lobos and the MPSF in scoring last season, notching seven goals and six assists for 20 points. He’ll anchor the offensive attack with his speed and ability to find the back of the net from almost anywhere in the offensive half of the field. Sophomore Michael Green has explosive speed and a nose for the goal, while newcomers Lawrence Robledo and Josh Caffey could make an immediate impact. “When we talk about attacking positions, I think we have a lot of guys who can play multiple spots on the field,” said Fishbein. “Wilson, Brown, Davis, and Green can all play as forwards or as wide players, and I think we have a good group to pick from. Some of these incoming guys will push to play those attacking roles as well.”
MIDFIELDERS
A steady, experienced group of midfielders will anchor the center, brandishing an attack-minded mentality that should complement the versatility of the team as a whole. Juniors Michael Reed, Ryan Farquharson, and Andrew Parsons have the most experience linking the Lobo offense together, while sophomores Lance Rozeboom and Masashi Shibuya have also logged quality time. An exciting and creative attacking player, Shibuya is coming off injury, but will definitely play a role once he’s cleared and back to speed. Junior James Urbany has speed and experience to add to a loaded midfield, while aggressive senior Euan Holden takes the field for the second year in a Lobo uniform. “We’re excited to see how some of the new guys can do in the midfield,” said Fishbein. “[Freshman] Levi Rossi is a dynamic player who’ll compete for time, as is Brendon Boucaud from Trinidad. We’ve got a lot of quality players and over the course of the season a lot of them will see action.” Redshirt freshman Gary Weisbaum will be in the mix along with newcomers Blake Smith, Patrick Pacheco, and Julian Roberts.
DEFENDERS
The Lobo backline will be one of the team’s strongest assets going into the ’09 season, anchored by senior central defender Simon Ejdemyr. His intimidating size at 6-foot-5 and soccer intelligence will be a huge obstacle for opposing teams. Ejdemyr is also a threat to score on set pieces. Various combinations of defensive backs will flank him, including juniors David Murphy and Andrew Parsons. Murphy had a productive spring and has recovered from an injury last season, while Parsons adds depth to the backline. Both can play roles in the center midfield. Ryan Farquharson possesses great upfield vision and is also a staple on the backline, while sophomore Travis Campbell is an aggressive outside back with experience and shut-down defensive skills. “In terms of new guys coming in, Johan Bergstrom’s a left back and so is Euan Holden,” said Fishbein. “(Holden) really came on strong and we expect big things from him. Kyle Venter is a freshman who’ll also be a real promising defender.”
GOALKEEPERS
Junior Justin Fite is the only Lobo keeper with Division I experience. He started the last five regular season matches and went 4-1-0 while posting a 0.97 goals allowed average. Redshirt freshmen Victor Rodriguez and Justin Holmes will challenge Fite for the top spot in between the pipes. Rodriguez had a promising spring and has made significant strides after sitting out the ’08 season as a true freshman. “Goal, man, it’s gonna be a dogfight,” said Fishbein. “We’ve got three extremely good goalkeepers, one of which has regular season experience in Justin Fite. All three showed well in the spring, so it’s going to be some hard decisions to make. I think they’re all really capable of getting the job done.”
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team begins its quest for another Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title with the start of fall camp on Saturday. Camp includes three exhibition matches, leading up to the Lobos’ first regular season match at St. Louis on Sept. 1. They take on San Francisco at 7 p.m. MT on Sept. 5 for the home opener.
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