Lobo Faithful:
Ready for Wednesday nights 7:00 pm sizzling non-conference match vs the University of West Virginia Mountaineers!
LOBOS VS WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1ST
7:00 PM LOBO SOCCER COMPLEX
As I’m sure you’ve already noticed, not an early mention of our conference opener vs UNC Charlotte last Friday night. Not the start to conference play we envisioned, but a great test and a tremendous learning experience if handled maturely. We headed straight into a hornets nest! Charlotte was at their best, great environment and we were unprepared for their tactical approach to the match. The 49’ers played direct into channels, into targets, into our box….”Route 1″ soccer and they were very effective. I may be selling them a bit short. Charlotte was very organized, mature, athletic and stuck to their guns the entire match. Winners must be good losers and Charlotte was an excellent team (currently ranked in the “Top 10”). I thought we played very well in the first half, had the majority of possession and connected dangerous balls in their half. We played from the back, made forward passes and created quality chances. We dealt with Charlotte’s tactics and matched them physically and mentally. The second half saw us get away from our first half approach…..not sure why? Our defenders reacted to the pressure with indecision and uncharacteristic turnovers. We were unable to put the ball behind their back 4 and lost our way in terms of a commitment to playing from the back and building through the midfield. Charlotte was relentless! We gave away too many easy crosses, fouls and corners, but were able to withstand their attack. 80 minutes into the match, still 0-0 and we created two quality chances to go ahead: Oniel Fisher with an open look from 10 yards out and Kevin Correa with tremendous individual work on the right flank, only to be denied by the post. With 4:30 left in the match, we failed to close on our right flank allowing free service from 30 yards….far post service and a tremendous header back across our GK…0-1 Charlotte. We quickly re-grouped with 4:00 minutes left and pushed numbers up to even the score. 1 minute in and they found a quick counter with a shot from deep deflecting off a defender and finding side netting. 0-2 Charlotte in a disappointing, but hard fought lesson.
Championship teams learn from their losses and come back stronger. This isn’t our “first rodeo”. Our coaches and players realize we weren’t at our best and won’t let our guard down next time. Great teams match and surpass their opponents tactics and impose their will on the game. Excited to get back at it tomorrow!
I was a bit somber in the latest “Fish Off The Pitch” with Josh Dye. Always a bit humbling to interview a kid with a 4.05 gpa in mechanical engineering. Check out the video here.
The next two matches are at home. We need your support. Wednesday the 1st vs West Virginia and Saturday, October 4th, 7:00 PM vs Florida International University at the Lobo Soccer Complex
Thanks for your continued support and energy. See you the next two matches and GO LOBOS!
Fish
Don’t forget: you can support the men’s soccer program by joining the Golden Goal Club!