Nov. 5, 2009
Lobo Soccer
Saturday: UNLV at Lobos, 7 p.m., UNM Soccer Complex
Online: GameTracker, live video, results on GoLobos.com
Up Next: Lobos at MPSF tourney, Nov. 12-14, Denver, Colo.
By Richard Stevens — Senior Writer/GoLobos.com
There is a huge challenge that falls on all Lobos, but also rests heavy on the shoulders of Jeremy Fishbein’s five seniors.
Saturday’s Senior Night MPSF tussle with UNLV might be the last home game as a Lobo for Stephen Brown, Justin Davis, Simon Ejdemyr, Euan Holden and P.J. Wilson.
Or this fearsome fivesome of Lobos could help power the University of New Mexico back into the NCAA playoffs and maybe back to the UNM Soccer Complex for another run. “That’s definitely what we want,” said Ejdemyr. “My goal is to win every game the rest of the way.”
Spoken like Ejdemyr. Spoken like a Fishbein Lobo. No doubt a strong quality in these Lobos is the undying belief that they can outplay and beat anyone who stands between them and a net. Unfortunately in soccer, outplaying an opponent doesn’t always insure victory. The Lobos are in a tight race for MPSF respect. They need to beat UNLV.
UNM’s only sure path to the NCAA postseason is to win the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation tourney and snatch up the automatic bid that goes to the winner. If you aren’t MPSF tourney champions, you have to hope the whims of the Selection Committee favor you, your record, your strength of schedule. That can be scary.
No doubt the crop of 2009 Fishbein seniors are deserving of another shot at postseason glory. They have been outstanding Lobos.
“Every senior class is hard to replace and every senior class seems special,” said Fishbein. “Each class does so many things in their own way.
“This group has been outstanding in games, in practice, off the field. They have set the tone for our underclassmen and they will be missed. But seniors can always make an impact in upcoming seasons because of the leadership they have provided and the examples they have set. This class has provided that legacy for us.”
Here is a quick look at UNM’s five seniors:
Justin Davis: Seniors are missed. Sometimes scorers are missed even more. Davis tops the UNM scoring charts with five goals, six assists, 16 points. Davis was First Team All-MPSF last year and Second Team All-Far West Region in leading UNM in scoring. He is yet another versatile Lobo, who has seen action from many positions, but was moved up this season for a good reason. He has a nose for the ball. He was named this season to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District VI squad.
Says Fishbein: “Justin has been asked to play just about every position over his four years. But he became more and more of an offensive threat and we had no choice but to leave him up front. He came here as a good soccer player and a very good athlete. His soccer skills have grown to match his athleticism. He has a great work ethic on and off the field and he is a great representative of this team and this university.”
Stephen Brown: Brown also is a scorer. He is No. 2 on the UNM points’ chart with four goals and two assists. The two-time All-MPSF player was in an attack position as a freshman, but has logged minutes all over the field. His versatility has been huge for UNM over his four years.
Says Fishbein: “Stephen’s curse is that he is so good at so many positions. It’s kind of like the old saying, `Jack of all trades. Master of none.’ His multi-talented nature might have hindered his development in one position, but we needed to move him around. He is special in that he can play all over the field. He is a Lobo who is truly about the team and he will do anything for his teammates.”
Simon Ejdemyr: Ejdemyr came to UNM from the upper-level of Sweden soccer and immediately provided UNM with something not all freshmen can provide: physical and mental maturity. The 6-foot-5 defender is looking for his fourth consecutive First Team All-MPSF award. He is known for his aggressive attacks in the backfield and also known for hitting the net on penalty kicks. He has been on the ESPN The Magazine All-Academic team three times.
Says Fishbein: “Simon has been a rock here. He came over from Sweden and right away he was strong academically and strong on the field. I can’t say enough about him as a player of as a person. From a tactical standpoint, he might be the best on our team because he played at such a high level before he came here. It’s difficult to come into a different culture where there are language and even social barriers and become a leader. His high level of responsibility and maturity helped him adapt quickly into that role.”
Euan Holden: Holden probably was meant to be, destined to be, a Lobo, but had to get a bit of wandering out of his system. Holden wandered into UConn soccer before coming to New Mexico. He missed six games last season due to illness and battled to get back to 100 percent. He has been healthy this season and has played in 15 of UNM’s 16 games.
Says Fishbein: Euan was a kid we recruited out of high school, but he chose to go to Uconn. I think the distance from home (Sugar Land, Texas) and the philosophy of that program weren’t the best for him. We are fortunate he came back to us. He was hampered a bit last year, but he has blossomed this year and has been an important part of our defense. We moved him from an attacker’s role to an outside defender and he has embraced that role and excelled for us.”
P.J. Wilson: Wilson has been one of those walking-wounded Lobos, who has battled through bumps and bruises to see action in 14 games this season. He has scored two goals to give him 11 career goals as a Lobo. He has good speed and is one of those Lobos with good soccer savvy on the field.
Says Fishbein: “P.J. has been hurt by injuries throughout his career. He has great soccer knowledge and has scored some big goals for us. He is such a good kid and so loved by his teammates that you just hope he can stay healthy the rest of the season and leave on a strong note. He has done so much for this team in showing his teammates the type of attitude you need to fight through adversity.”