Lobo Faithful:
The friendly confines of the Lobo Soccer Complex welcomed two “top 20” opponents to the Grange & Ashwell Memorial Invitational this past weekend. Excited to be back home after opening the season at #1 UCLA on the left coast. #18 University of San Diego our opponent Friday night and #13 University of California at Santa Barbara Sunday’s foe. Both teams undefeated on the year and looking for revenge after recent losses to the Lobos (2014 USD and 2013 UCSB). We had an excellent week of training leading into the weekend and confidence was high. Really unified group of Lobos.
LOBOS VS #18 SAN DIEGO TOREROS: FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 4TH, 2015 7:00 PM
San Diego came into Friday nights match with a record of 2-0-0, a #18 national ranking and convincing 3-0 victories over #8 Cal and UC Riverside. A very mature team, with six senior starters. This is USD’s year! Overcast skies, light rain and 1800 Lobo Faithful braved the elements for our season home opener. We came out on fire. The first 30 minutes of the match was some of the best soccer we’ve played. The team did everything possible, but put the ball in the back of the net. Entertaining and frustrating….sweet and sour. In the 32nd minute, we gave up a corner kick against the run of play and failed to mark properly on the far post. Back post ball and excellent finish. Domination to trailing by a goal in a matter of seconds. 0-1 USD. No significant chances the rest of the half and we went into intermission down a goal. We came out strong for the second half and created several chances early. 20 minutes in, we were awarded a direct kick 25 yards out. Chris Wehan launched a rocket to the keepers upper right corner to even the score 1-1. We continued to attack and Wehan found his second five minutes later. 2-1 Lobos. Things were looking good. In the 81st minute, USD’s right winger got loose on the flank and played a driven ball into the box. We lost our marks and a diving header found its way past Jason Beaulieu. 2-2. Several more exciting chances from both sides and after 20 minutes of overtime, the score remained 2-2. A disappointing draw after holding the lead late in regulation.
Recap and great footage of Wehan’s brace: http://www.golobos.com/news/2015/9/4/MSOC_0904152812.aspx
LOBOS VS #13 UCSB GAUCHOS: SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2015 6:00 PM
UCSB opened the season with a quality win over #4 Stanford and a disappointing 2-2 draw with Denver on Friday. One of the most talented and physically imposing teams I’ve seen in a while. A blend of skill and athleticism. Another great test, our third straight “top 20” opponent. 1800+ in the stands on a Labor Day Weekend Sunday night and the energy levels were high. Unlike Friday night, we opened the match poorly. We were slow to the ball and seemed unwilling to fight the necessary physical battles. UCSB looked good….really good! Wonderful individual effort in the 22nd minute and we found ourselves trailing 0-1 early. Didn’t look great at this point. To our boys credit, we battled back and created chances of our own in the remaining 23 minutes. The statistics were pretty even at the conclusion of the half, but we trailed by a goal. We challenged the team at halftime and the response was first rate. We played with renewed energy, confidence and began to win the small battles. The tide had turned. First to balls, winning tackles, great movement off the ball…a re-energized group. 20 minutes in, a slipped ball by Goss to Wehan in the box and top shelf left footed blast to even the score 1-1. We began to really find our form. In the 86th minute, Dorsey to Wehan for a clinically placed shot low to the GK’s right. Wehan’s fourth goal of the weekend and it held. 2-1 Lobos in one of the most exciting matches played at the Lobo Soccer Complex.
Lobo Soccer is all about big wins over ranked opponents in front of our supporters! Recap: http://www.golobos.com/news/2015/9/6/MSOC_0906151206.aspx
For his efforts, Chris Wehan was named National Player of the Week by the NSCAA, Top Drawer Soccer and College Soccer News: http://www.golobos.com/news/2015/9/8/MSOC_0908152014.aspx
A well deserved honor for a special weekend. Yuri Domiciano and Sam Gleadle will be back training this week and our form will continue to improve. Exciting times ahead. We depart for Southern California Thursday for matches vs. Cal State Northridge and 4-0-0 #20 Loyola Marymount this weekend. No rest for the weary! Excited to play two more challenging opponents.
We shot the season’s first episode of “Fish Off the Pitch” this week with special guest Chris Wehan. New host, new studio…here you go: https://golobos.com/news/2015/9/8/MSOC_0908153224.aspx
Thanks for all your support and the energy you provide. See you back at home September 18-20 for the TLC Invitational. GO LOBOS!
FISH