April 18, 2011
Taos, N.M. — The New Mexico Lobos ran their spring record to 4-1-2 as they picked up a 1-1 draw with the University of Denver in the inaugural game at Taos Eco Park. The game was the featured attraction as the park opened for the first time. Taos Eco Park received a FIFA 2 Star Field Certification from the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), the world’s governing body for the sport of soccer. TEP is now the fourth FIFA 2 Star field installed in the United States, and the highest altitude FIFA 2 Star training facility in the world.
“It was an incredible experience for our guys,” said head coach Jeremy Fishbein. “It’s kind of like `Field of Dreams’ but the soccer version of it. The artificial surface behaved exactly like grass. I’m excited to play on it again.”
The game featured two teams that know each other as they face off twice a year in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation play during the fall. The Pioneers struck first on what would be their only shot on goal of the game, knocking in a corner kick 13 minutes in, but the Lobos soon answered. Javier Gomez took a free kick from about 30 yards out on the left side and played a perfect serve diagonally that found a streaking Travis Campbell. His one-time volley tickled the twine and leveled the match at 1-apiece.
In the second half, Denver packed it in on defense, and although New Mexico has some opportunities, they couldn’t break through with a second tally, thus the match ending at 1-1. The draw held as no overtime was played.
“We created some opportunities, but I think we learned a valuable lesson that you have to take advantage of things when you have the better of play. I’m happy to get a draw, but I’m disappointed that we didn’t take more advantage of our opportunities and finish off an opponent.”
With New Mexico heading into a big weekend with the annual Alunmi match which will see the current Lobos go against a stacked alumni squad that will have several former MSL players on it, Fishbein feels that his squad has certainly shown the types of improvement from day one of spring camp through game seven out of 10.
“We have definitely learned some things, and I like where we are, but we have to always strive to improve ourselves.” Fishbein added, “We have gotten some of our redshirt guys valuable experience heading into the fall, and I like our makeup right now. We just have to see it through this weekend and then finish strong against Irvine and Fullerton.”
The Alumni game on Saturday, April 23 is at the UNM Soccer Complex at 6:30 p.m., and is also a fundraiser for ALS research and former Lobo Patrick Grange. Patrick finished his Lobo career in 2004 and four months ago was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Along with the game, UNM soccer will host a silent auction with proceeds going to the Grange Family, ALS Research and Lobo Soccer. Some of the items include jerseys signed by Christiano Ronaldo, Kaka, FC Dallas, Seattle Sounders, along with golf packages, airline tickets, and other items. All items will be on display two hours prior to the game or you can contact Coach Brandon Moss at bmoss@unm.edu for specifics or to bid over the phone.