Aug. 22, 2010
TULSA, Okla. — The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team picked up a 1-0 shutout against 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Missouri State on Sunday afternoon in a neutral site exhibition game in Tulsa, Okla. Sophomore transfer Devon Sandoval scored the lone goal of the game in the 55th minute for the Lobo win.
“We knew we could be at a disadvantage playing a fresh team after our game in the heat on Friday,” said Lobo head coach Jeremy Fishbein. “We knew we would face a lot of challenges, but our guys came out very composed and took a mature approach to the game for such a young team.”
Sandoval picked up a pass from redshirt freshman Lawrence Robledo inside the 6-yard box for the goal. Sandoval, an Albuquerque native, is making his return to New Mexico after spending his freshman season at San Diego State. Sandoval and Robledo are two of 20 Lobos on the team that are sophomores, redshirt freshmen or true freshmen.
Sophomore Victor Rodriguez defended the Lobo goal for the shutout.
“We didn’t capitalize on some offensive chances, but the defense played well and Vic played well in goal,” said Fishbein. “We’re happy with the way the team approached the weekend’s games.”
New Mexico will play one more exhibition game, a home match-up against NCAA Division II national champion Fort Lewis on Friday, Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. Admission for the exhibition game at the UNM Soccer Complex is free.
The first game of the regular season will be Wednesday, Sept. 1 against Saint Louis at the UNM Soccer Complex. Game time is set for 7 p.m. Ticket information for Lobo men’s soccer games is available by clicking the TICKETS button on www.GoLobos.com.