Lobo Faithful:
As referenced in my previous “Lobo Faithful” e-mail, regular season contests #9-#12 would be challenging physically, mentally and ultimately, will play a large part in defining “who we are as a team”. Mid-season is when “the weak fall off the back, the average, “stay in the middle” and “the strong get stronger” and begin to pull away……our boys were up for the challenge and the “strong got stronger”. Coming off convincing victories over West Virginia and Florida International last week, we faced a challenging road trip to Florida Atlantic and a home match four days later vs Missouri State. As a team, we talk about embracing pressure, eliminating stress, controlling “what is controllable” and limiting distractions. Easier said than done, with players ages 18-23. Our leadership has been incredible and each of our 26 players have embraced the everyday challenges “each player must find ways to make the team better and continue to strive for excellence individually and collectively”. For us to be great, everyone must be great and committed to EXCELLENCE: academically, socially and on the playing field. I can’t tell you how proud I am of our players.
Confidence was high heading into the Florida Atlantic match and the ensuing performance was first rate. We maintained possession, played through our opponent with precision, showed maturity, patience and finished our chances. Dominant showing with a 13-5 advantage in shots, 12-2 advantage in corners and committing only 6 fouls. Our goal was to keep a rhythm to the game and not kill play with fouls. Job well done! Great goal by Kevin Correa in the 43’ (his third in the past three matches) and well placed penalty kick by James Rogers in the 63’ to seal the victory. Patrick Poblete with the shutout in goal.
Smooth trip home and two days to prepare for a mature, disciplined team from Missouri State. Missouri State’s roster is full of experienced international players. Very organized and hard to break down. Our challenge was to be patient, good on the ball and show discipline in defending. MSU is deadly on set pieces and direct play. We needed to play in our opponents half, move the ball quickly and keep our heads for the entire 90 minutes. A great showing by our team. We looked the part in our new silver and red uniforms (thanks to the generosity of Hanna Plumbing: Paul, Barbara and Lobo Alum, Cody Hanna) and controlled the tempo from minute one. Missouri State sat back and absorbed pressure the first 45 minutes. We created several quality chances, but didn’t find the net. Our back line was fantastic and we prevented a single shot on our goal. 0-0 at the half, with the key, being to “stay the course”. Our reward came in the 72’: great work in the center of the park from Josh Dye, pinpoint pass to Riley McGovern, on to Oniel Fisher for a blast from 12 yards. Oniel’s shot was deflected by a MSU defender, but he didn’t get enough on the ball and Oniel’s shot found the back of the net. 1-0 Lobos. 11 minutes later after several quality attacking sequences, Chris Wehan with a tremendous finish off a Ben McKendry pass. 2-0 Lobos. That’s how the match finished with the Lobos delivering a convincing and mature performance: 11-1 shot advantage, committing only 6 fouls and our GK, Jason Beaulieu, not being challenged to make a single save in the shutout.
As a result of his outstanding performances the past two games, senior defender, Riley McGovern, was named Conference-USA Co-Defensive Player of the Week. (Click here for the article.) A well deserved honor if you have to pick only one player. I feel our entire defense should share in this award, with two convincing shutouts.
We filmed episode #8 of “Fish Off the Pitch” yesterday with guests Josh Dye and Riley McGovern. Very draining matching wits with engineering and math majors. Click here to watch it.
We depart this Friday for Lexington, Kentucky and a very challenging Conference-USA match vs. the Kentucky Wildcats Saturday night. We are excited for this one and the challenge of “getting better” with every opportunity. Thanks for all your support and I will be reporting back to you early next week. GO LOBOS!
FISH
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