Sept. 29, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — An undefeated Lobo team will hop a plane Friday morning to jet-set to Las Vegas, Nev., home of the UNLV Rebels and site of New Mexico’s first MPSF game of the season. The Lobos will go head to head with the Rebels on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 8 p.m. mountain time.
Ranked No. 9 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), the squad amassed a 6-0-2 record after a challenging non-conference schedule, with both of their tie games coming on the road. Their game in San Luis Obispo yielded a 0-0 draw with Cal Poly on Sept. 2, and a 1-1 no decision on Sept. 16 came on the home field of the 2010 College Cup Champions, the Akron Zips.
The Lobos are riding a two game win streak into MPSF action, most recently defeating Loyola Marymount, 2-0, in their “Stuff the Stadium” double-header event with the UNM women’s team.
The Rebels on the other hand are 1-6-0 and burdened by a five game stint in the “L” column. Their last loss came at the hands of UC Irvine, a 4-0 decision on the road to close out non-conference play. UNLV’s sole win came against Cal State Northridge in a 2-1, overtime bout on Sept. 1.
Saturday’s game will be the 26th meeting between the two teams, with New Mexico holding a 15-10 edge. The Lobos delivered a late game, 3-2 loss in the last match-up on Nov. 6, 2010. The Rebels have eight starters and 14 letter-winners in total returning from that squad.
New Mexico closed out non-conference play with 17 goals for a 2.12 goals per game average. Headed into the MPSF season, the team is maintaining a .505 shot-on-goal percentage, and has forced opposing keepers to make 52 saves over eight games.
The Lobos defense, anchored by junior goalkeeper Victor Rodriguez, has held attackers to just four goals in eight contests and a weaker .280 shot-on-goal percentage. Rodriguez is ranked 11th in the nation with a goals against average of .491 and has four shutouts to his credit.
Saturday’s game marks the first of three straight road matches for New Mexico. The weekend of Oct. 7-9 will showcase contests with Denver and Air Force, respectively, before both teams make the return trip to Albuquerque the following weekend.