July 19, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — In the wake of the U.S. women’s run in the 2011 FIFA World Cup, young athletes across the nation are wondering how to go about turning their dreams of playing on soccer’s largest stage into a reality.
The path to the top likely will differ for each player, but New Mexico has been a successful avenue taken by former Lobos as they have made the climb toward their ultimate career goals.
For Andrew Boyens, the question of how to pursue his professional soccer goals yielded a clear, albeit difficult answer. A native of Dunedin, New Zealand, Boyens got his start playing collegiate soccer in 2002 at the University of Otago. He also played semi-professionally for Dunedin Technical during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. However, when reality regarding his future in the game came to light, Boyens knew that he had some choices to make.
“I always knew that I wanted to take myself to the next level of play,” Boyens explained. “And unfortunately, the only way to do that in New Zealand… is to leave.”
New Mexico gave Boyens the opportunity that he needed to jumpstart his international career, as Lobo head coach Jeremy Fishbein and his former staff, Jamie Clark and Carl Junot, got in touch with Boyens prior to the 2004 season. This provided him with the encouragement that he needed to make the jump from Dunedin to Albuquerque.
It was a good choice. After coming out of New Mexico as one of the more decorated players in program history Boyens has, and is continuing to, make good on his goals of taking his career to the grandest of heights – including an appearance in the 2010 FIFA World Cup with the New Zealand national team.
“That was definitely the highlight of my career,” Boyens said. “The World Cup is the biggest stage in the world. It is what every player is working towards, and a true privilege to be a part of.”
Currently, Boyens is in the midst of his fourth year as a professional in the MLS — courtesy of his February 2011 signing with Chivaz USA. He boasts three prior years in the pros on American soil with Toronto FC, which drafted him in the first round of the 2007 MLS SuperDraft, and with the New York Red Bulls.
Boyens credits much of his professional success to what he learned at New Mexico.
“It wasn’t just the soccer at UNM, but the whole change – coming out of one country and into another, getting out of your comfort zone and learning to adapt – my whole experience with that at New Mexico really helped with pushing me into the pros,” Boyens admitted.
“Playing professional soccer is great, and a big part of my career was the way that playing at UNM prepared me for making the move from college to professional soccer.”
Boyens has made seven starts in eight overall appearances with Chivaz, converting one of three shots on goal in 610 minutes of play. The club is 5-7-8 on the season, holding the no. 7 spot in Western Conference rankings. Boyens admits that the team has had its ups and downs but, with a few must-win games ahead of them, are in the hunt for a playoff spot.
While he made it look easy on the pitch at UNM, Boyens let on that there are certain bits of advice that he has lived by en route to his numerous accomplishments.
“Try and take everything in – college is a great experience, and it’s important to enjoy it,” he said. “The atmosphere of being a college athlete – balancing studies, academics and athletics – is a learning experience in and of itself.
“If you want to push on, it’s important to listen to your coaching staff and be humble,” he continued. “Take something from every moment – every practice, every game, every time that you’re in the gym. No matter what you’re doing, do it to the best of your ability.”
To follow Andrew and the rest of Chivas USA, visit their website at www.cdchivasusa.com.
Boyens’ Professional Stats
|
Season |
Team | Comp | Minutes Played | Appearances | Starts | Goals |
| 2011 | Chivas USA | MLS | 609 | 8 | 7 | 1 |
| 2010 | New York RB | MLS | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | New York RB | MLS | 1114 | 14 | — | 0 |
| 2008 | New York RB | MLS | 1686 | 21 | 18 | 0 |
| 2007 | Toronto FC | MLS | 1825 | 23 | 21 | 1 |
| Totals | 5234 | 66 | 46 | 2 |
*statistics current through July 19, 2011
Boyens at New Mexico
General Information/Career
Three-year starter and anchor of the Lobo defense since 2004…Scored 11 goals and six assists in his three seasons at UNM…Excellent in the air and a very physical player who knew how to use his 6-4 frame to his advantage…Three-time All Far West Region and three-time 1st Team All-MPSF team member…Two-time MPSF Player of the Year…First Lobo to win two conference player of the year honors…Invited to the 2006 MLS combine…Member of the New Zealand full national team in the offseason, traveling on two foreign tours.
2006 MPSF Player of the Year
2006 Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist
2005 Consensus All-American
2005 NSCAA Scholar Athlete
Three-Time All-Far West Region
Three-Time 1st Team All-MPSF
2004 MPSF co-Player of the Year
2004 MPSF Newcomer of the Year