Nov. 9, 2011
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Lobos have closed the books on an undefeated regular season for the first time in program history with their 16-0-2 record, 10-0-0 in conference play. Next up – postseason.
This weekend, the men’s soccer team will head to Denver for the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation conference tournament. The team has secured the No. 1 seed for the tournament and earned a first round BYE to move straight into the semi-final round.
New Mexico will therefore commence tournament play on Friday, Nov. 11 in a game against the lowest remaining seed following Thursday’s quarterfinal round. Potential opponents include the four-seed Sacramento State Hornets, the five-seed San Jose State Spartans, and the six-seed and host Denver Pioneers.
While the Lobos will be looking to complete the sweep of MPSF titles with the conference championship award, they also have to be thinking about what comes after that – the NCAA Tournament.
The Division I Men’s Soccer Selection Show is slated for Monday, Nov. 14 at 2:30 p,m., and will serve to announce the field of teams that will have the opportunity to make a run at the 2011 College Cup title. Teams from all across the country will watch in anticipation for the decision on whether or not they will be one of the 48 teams selected to participate in this year’s tournament.
For teams that haven’t received an at-large bid, the anticipation will be paramount. For those that have won their respective conference tournaments and clinched a bid to the NCAA tournament, the focus is on seeding — the higher the seed, the higher the chance to play at home.
Playing at home is exactly what the Lobos want.
The team will be watching the Selection Show from Nob Hill Bar and Grill on Central Avenue, and would like to invite all of their fans to join them as their standing in the NCAA Tournament is announced. The Selection Show will be displayed on multiple TVs at Nob Hill, and the team will also be hosting a free raffle of a signed soccer ball, open to all fans in attendance.
The show will start promptly at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, so those planning on attending are encouraged to arrive around 2:15 p.m.
For more information on the 2011 College Cup, please visit NCAA: Division I Men’s Soccer.