Lobo Soccer- at UNM Soccer Complex (6,200)
When: Wednesday at 7 p.m. (MT)
Who: University of San Francisco Dons
GoLobos.com: Live stats, box score, live stream, postgame recap
Live stats: Available at www.lobostats.com
Video: The game will be streamed live on the Mountain West Network at GoLobos.com
Weather Forecast: 82 degrees, partly cloudy
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Coming off a disappointing conference-opening loss at South Carolina last Friday, the University of New Mexico men’s soccer team is eager to get back on the pitch against the visiting San Francisco Dons Wednesday night at 7 at the UNM Soccer Complex. However, the NCAA released its initial RPI rankings on Monday and the Lobos checked in at No. 15, a good sign at the halfway point of the season.
“Rankings and stuff change quickly,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said, “but we were really happy with that RPI. The loss to South Carolina probably changed it significantly. We probably would’ve been number five or seven if we had gotten the result, but we’re sitting good right now at 15. We have a good remaining schedule and our destiny is in our hands.”
That schedule begins with a visit from a traditional power that is having a bit of a down season. The Dons are just 2-8-0 on the year, including an 0-7 mark on the road, but the Lobos know they have to approach this non-conference match with the same intensity as a C-USA game. It will help that the Lobos are returning home where they are undefeated this season, which includes three straight wins.
“It’s a good lineup that we’re putting out there,” said Fishbein. “Guys are going to be enthusiastic and energized. I’m excited to see us play.”
Four members of the USF team have multiple goals this season, but no player has scored more than two. They have been outscored 25-11 and outshot 152-105 on the season.
Series Record: 3-3-0
Home: 0-1-0; Road: 2-1-0; Neutral: 1-1-0
Last meeting: In 2009 the Dons came to Albuquerque ranked 22nd and defeated the Lobos 1-0 in the teams’ only previous meeting in New Mexico.
Up Next: The Lobos return to Conference USA player when they host Kentucky Sunday night at 6 at the UNM Soccer Complex.
SCOUTING SAN FRANCISCO … The Dons are coming off their first winning season since 2006 under second-year head coach Eddie Soto, but they have struggled out of the gate so far, especially on the road where they are 0-7. They have been outscored 25-11 and outshot 152-105. Freshman Sean Bowman and sophomore Aaron Lombardi lead the team with two goals and one assist apiece. A couple other players also have a pair of goals each. Andre Glasonovic has seen the bulk of time in net and posted a 2.46 GAA and a .667 save percentage.
RPI UPDATE … The first official NCAA RPI came out Monday, and the Lobos checked in at No. 15, which is second in Conference USA behind only South Carolina. USF is 172nd in the rankings.
WEHAN ENTERS TOP 10 … Chris Wehan’s penalty kick goal at South Carolina on Sept. 25 was the 20th goal of his career, which moved him into a 10th-place tie in UNM history. He is tied with Edmundo Rodriguez (1991-92) and Justin Davis (2006-09). Next up are James Rogers and Lance Watson in a tie for eighth with 22.
NSCAA TEAM ACADEMIC AWARD … The Lobos earned the NSCAA Team Academic Award on Sept. 23, the fourth straight year they’ve accomplished that. It’s the 12th time under Coach Fishbein the Lobos have earned the award. Their 3.44 team GPA was the fourth highest among all Division I men’s soccer programs.
BACK-TO-BACK AWARD SWEEPS … UNM swept the Conference USA Player of the Week Awards for the second straight week. Niko Hansen and Nicholas Rochowski were named C-USA Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, on Sept. 21. The Lobos have won six of the eight awards handed out this season.
LOBOS WIN TLC INVITATIONAL … UNM won the TLC Plumbing & Utility Invitational last weekend courtesy of their wins over Missouri State (1-0) and No. 21 American (2-1, OT). Niko Hansen was named Tournament MVP and Offensive MVP, Nicholas Rochowski was the Defensive MVP, and Francesco Casucci and Patrick Khouri were named to the All-Tournament Team.
NO QUIT … Amazingly UNM has yet to score a goal in the first half of any match this season, and the Lobos have found themselves trailing at the half five times in 2015. However, they have done pretty well in those matches, going 3-1-1.
LOBOS SWEEP AWARDS … UNM swept the C-USA Players of the Week Awards on Sept. 14. Chris Wehan repeated as Offensive Player of the Week after scoring both game-winning goals for the Lobos. Jason Beaulieu earned his second Defensive Player of the Week award this year after earning his first shutout of the season on Sept. 12 and making eight saves during the weekend.
FIRST TIME FOR EVERYTHING … Four Lobos made their first career start in UNM’s loss at No. 1 UCLA on Aug. 29: sophomore Lucas Seligman, true freshman Aaron Herrera, and redshirt freshmen Matt Dorsey and Patrick Khouri. Herrera and Khouri went on to play all 90 minutes. Two other true freshmen, Francesco Casucci and Kasper Kajermo, both made their collegiate debuts as substitutes. Simon Spangenberg, another true freshman, made his debut against San Diego on Sept. 4.
YOUNG BUT SAME EXPECTATIONS … The Lobos are one of the youngest teams in the nation this year with 15 freshmen and four sophomores. Their total of 19 underclassmen is the 11th most in the country, and the highest in C-USA. Despite the youth, though, head coach Jeremy Fishbein expects the youngsters to play like veterans.