Oct. 27, 2010
By Chelsea Einerwold, Writer/GoLobos.com
The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team travels to Sacramento State University and San Jose State University this weekend to face two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference opponents.
The Lobos are coming off a 1-0-1 weekend in which they recorded their fourth straight shutout by defeating Seattle University 2-0 on Oct. 22, and tying with California State University Bakersfield 0-0 in double overtime on Oct. 24.
This weekend’s match ups will be against two teams from the Pacific division of the conference.
Lobo head coach Jeremy Fishbein feels positive about this weekend and is anxious for his team to take to the field.
“Our focus is on Friday’s game with Sacramento and I feel great about it,” Fishbein said. “It’s just a matter of preparing this week and getting out there and getting after it.”
On Friday the Lobos face Sacramento State, the team they lost to in penalty kicks in last year’s conference championship. The Hornets are 6-4-5 on the season and 1-2-4 in conference action. Sacramento is second in the Pacific division, behind CSU Bakersfield and is coming off a 2-1 loss at Air Force Academy on Oct. 24.
Forward Chris Bettencourt leads Sacramento. The junior has scored five goals this season, which puts him fourth in the MPSF.
In the goal for the Hornets is Cesar Castillo. The freshman is second in the conference with six shutouts. Castillo is also second in goals against average at .73.
The Lobos play San Jose on Sunday. The Spartans endured two losses on the road last weekend, falling 2-0 to the Air Force Academy on Oct. 22, and to Denver on Oct. 24 with a score of 3-1.
San Jose is led by Josh Boemecke. The senior midfielder is first in the conference with eight goals. Midfielder Nick Cukar is also a player to watch as he has four assists and two goals on the season.
The Spartans’ goalkeeper Jonathan Lester owns a 1.11 goals against average this season. He is fourth in the MPSF with shutouts at four.
The Lobos will look to continue their defensive streak. Sophomore goalkeeper Justin Holmes has a .86 goals against average this season, and is third in the conference for shutouts with five.
Offensively, New Mexico will look to finish on opportunities.
“If we continue to defend well, the goals will come and I think we’re going to get the results,” Fishbein said. “I’m real happy with where our guys are right now. I think our leadership is very good and there’s a real commitment to taking care of the little things that ultimately determine the outcomes.”
After this weekend the Lobos have only one regular season game remaining before the conference tournament. New Mexico will play at UNLV on Nov. 6 to bring the regular season to a close.
The MPSF conference tournament will be Nov. 11-14 in Sacramento. The winners of each division, as well as the next top four teams in terms of total points will go on to the post season tournament. New Mexico is currently first in the Mountain division and second overall with 13 points. CSU Bakersfield leads the conference with 15 points and has already clinched a spot in the tournament.