Aug 17, 2013
#11 New Mexico-3 Grand Canyon-1 ![]()
#11 New Mexico – 3 Grand Canyon – 1 (Exhibition)
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The eleventh-ranked University of New Mexico Lobos opened their season in spirited fashion with a 3-1 exhibition victory over Grand Canyon in front of 1,620 fans at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Lobos got one goal from a familiar face in Kyle Venter while two true freshmen scored the team’s second and third goals. Niko Hansen and James Wypych brought the Lobo Faithful to their feet with their special introductions as both found the back of the net in their first action as Lobos.
Senior defender Kyle Venter scored the night’s first goal when he headed home Michael Calderon’s free kick in the 13th minute. Grand Canyon’s Albert Sanchez Garcia equalized the match just six minutes later off an assist from Kyle Cilento.
The fast-paced scoring action slowed after the Antelope goal as the match went nearly 20 minutes without a goal. The Lobos regained the lead when Hansen took an Adrian Mora Delgado flick pass and sprinted ahead for a breakaway goal. Wypych’s goal in the 85th minute was the only scoring action of the second half. The score came on a great ball played by another freshman; Josh Goss.
Scoring Summary:
12:08 UNM Goal: Kyle Venter, Assist: Michael Calderon (Free Kick)
19:16 GCU Goal: Alberto Sanchez Garcia, Assist: Kyle Ciliento
38:29 UNM Goal: Niko Hansen, Assist: Adrian Mora Delgado
84:41 UNM Goal: James Wypych, Assist: Josh Goss
Notes
- The Lobos and the Antelopes are familiar foes. Saturday night’s exhibition was the most recent match-up between the two. The two teams met during the spring with the Lobos winning 2-1 thanks to goals from Michael Calderon and Ben McKendry. New Mexico defeated Grand Canyon in fall exhibition play during the 2011 season as well.
- Kyle Venter scored the first goal of the night on a header. It mimicked the team’s first goal the last time they played at UNM Soccer Complex. Venter headed home UNM’s first goal of the night against Virginia in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. That goal also came off an assist from Michael Calderon.
Next Up:
Coach Fishbein and the Lobos will play two more exhibitions next week in the state of Colorado. They will play at Air Force on Thursday, August 22 before playing at Denver University on Saturday, August 24. Both matches are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. (MT).