TAOS, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer program carried on its annual tradition of playing spring exhibitions in northern New Mexico on Saturday afternoon. The Lobos, as they have a history of doing, defeated the Denver Pioneers 3-1 behind a trio of goals from a trio of sophomores in Taos.
UNM took advantage of a quick playing surface at the Taos Eco Park and scored the match’s first goal in the third minute. Center back Chris Gurule played a ball up top to Chris Wehan who finished off the attack with the goal. It was not the last time either of two Lobos would be involved in the scoring action.
New Mexico continued to press the action, playing the game on the Denver half of the field, after Wehan’s opening score. The Lobo attack earned a free kick from just outside the right edge of the DU box in the 33rd minute. Sophomore midfielder Josh Goss took the free kick and sent a pinpoint pass into the box that was headed home by a leaping Gurule.
Denver used the restart to attack down the left side of the Lobo defense and slotted away their only goal of the game less than 60 seconds after UNM’s second goal of the game.
The UNM defense would tighten things down after the Pioneer goal and get to halftime holding a 2-1 advantage on the scoreboard. The Lobos won the statistical battle in the first half with an 8-5 advantage in shots, 4-1 edge on corner kicks and a 2-2 tie in saves.
New Mexico mirrored the lightning fast speed of their attack in the second half and tallied a third goal of the day less than 60 seconds into the half. Wehan was the catalyst for the attack with a long, bouncing pass across the field to a streaking Sam Gleadle down the right side. Gleadle took pushed the ball down the flank before slipping a pass into the box to Niko Hansen who tapped home the easy goal.
The match remained scoreless for the final 44 minutes after seeing four goals in 46 minutes. Both teams took four shots in the second half (with two on goal). Jason Beaulieu manned the goal for New Mexico for the first 70 minutes before James Bannon-Schneebeck spelled him for the final 20 minutes.
Coach Jeremy Fishbein:
“I’m happy with this result. I thought we were really good in the second half. We got up two goals, got comfortable and gave up a real soft goal. I thought we controlled the match and got a real good second half. We were able to put away some nice goals.”
“I am real proud of the team. We have been really good this spring, and we keep getting better. We got one match left, and I am excited to play it with this group.”
“We love coming here to Taos every year. The hospitality is first rate. It’s a great surface here at the Taos Eco Park, and it’s become a really nice event every spring. It’s something we will always look forward to.”