Lobo Faithful:
A wonderful display of high quality soccer at the Grange and Ashwill Memorial Tournament this past weekend. American University from Washington DC, University of California at Riverside, UCLA and New Mexico competed for the championship trophy: 4 matches over the weekend at the Lobo Soccer Complex. UCLA entered the weekend ranked #1 in the nation, with the Lobos ranked #5. UCLA vs American kicked things off Friday, September 5th at 4:30. To the country’s surprise, American knocked off the top-ranked Bruins in overtime, 2-1. Lobos vs UC Riverside in the nightcap. 2000+ in the stands, perfect evening with great anticipation from the vocal Lobo Faithful. 5′ into the match and Lobo GK Patrick Poblete called for a foul inside our penalty box. Penalty kick with the Riverside #3 slotting it for an early Riverside advantage, 1-0. Our boys kept focus and quickly got a hold of the match. In the 11th minute, great work on the flank by James Rogers, with Chris Wehan making an intelligent run from deep to get on the end of Roger’s cross. 1-1 and plenty of early action. We started to see more and more of the ball and continued to threaten. 19-6 shot advantage Lobos for the match and 9-3 advantage for shots on frame. Riverside really had a chip on their shoulders and this one wasn’t a friendly match. 33 fouls called and 7 yellow cards…the officials never got full control of the game. In the 68′ minute, we finally found the winner. Josh Goss with a cracker off a rebound, to make it 2-1 Lobos. Not wanting to let the excitement diminish, with 5 minutes on the clock, our GK, Patrick Poblete, was given a yellow card by the official for “wasting time”. The first time in my coaching career I’ve experienced this call and even more gutsy, considering it was Poblete’s 2nd yellow of the match (given a yellow for the foul and PK in the 5′). 2 yellows = red and we had to play a man down for the final five minutes. Freshmen GK Jason Beaulieu closed out the match (Poblete had to come off for the red). Too much excitement for me, but we got the result and could now focus on the main event, UCLA Sunday night.
UCLA was the game we all had circled on our calendars. 5000+ Lobo Supporters in the stands and the atmosphere was all you could ask for. Vuvuzella’s, drums, tail gating.…what a soccer match should look like! Jason Beaulieu was starting in the net for the suspended Poblete (suspended for red card). In the 6th minute, 3 poor clearances by our back 4, a bouncing ball and we were called for another early foul in the box. The official pointed to the spot…PK…1-0 UCLA. Not the start we were looking for. The boys responded brilliantly. We controlled the rhythm and thoroughly dominated play. Our reward came in the 31st minute. Great individual work by Josh Goss and a driven cross from the left flank found James Rogers on the near post. 1-1 and things looking great. The game was ours for the taking. For the match, 18-3 advantage Lobos in shots, 8-2 advantage in shots on goal….our GK never challenged to make a save the entire match…..not to be. 74′ miscue between our central defenders, loose ball, keeper off his line…..2-1 UCLA off a disappointing and rare defensive mistake. We kept driving and created several more quality chances, but couldn’t find the net. A tough loss to swallow. We played very well, dominated the match, but failed to take our chances and made two costly mistakes. Soccer!
American University was crowned winner of the Grange and Ashwill Memorial Tournament with their 1-0 victory over Riverside Sunday afternoon. We left the tournament disappointed, but very optimistic. We are playing dynamic and entertaining soccer, creating chances and the goals will come. For his efforts over the weekend (game winning goal and assist), Josh Goss was named Conference-USA Offensive Player of the Week.
Josh is also the guest on this week’s “FISH OFF THE PITCH.”
Here’s the link to this week’s episode hosted by award-winning sports journalist, Richard Stevens.
The boys are anxious to get back on the field this Friday night vs. Cal State Northridge. We depart Thursday for our first road matches. Northridge on Friday and University of San Diego on Sunday. We are playing well and the waiting is a killer. Can’t say enough about our supporters and the incredible atmosphere you are creating. Great things ahead! Thanks for all your support and GO LOBOS!
FISH
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