Lobo Soccer- at UNM Soccer Complex (6,200)
When: Sunday at 6 p.m. (MT)
Who: University of Kentucky Wildcats
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: 78 degrees, mostly cloudy
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team has played just one Conference USA match so far this season, but it already finds itself six points behind a trio of leaders. Among those are the Kentucky Wildcats, 2-0-0 in conference play and the Lobos’ opponent Sunday night at the UNM Soccer Complex at 6.
Kentucky and UNM are the two stingiest defenses in the conference, both allowing 0.85 goals per game, which ranks in the top 40 nationally. The Wildcats are led by Preseason Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year Callum Irving, a senior goalkeeper who is rated as one of the best prospects in college soccer. However, the entire UK team helps on the defensive end as they limit offensive chances for the other team. Irving averages just 2.62 saves per game but owns a 0.86 GAA.
The Lobos should provide a very stiff test on that front. They are second in C-USA in shots with 123 and tied for second in corner kicks with 47. Plus, they are coming off a three-goal performance against San Francisco on Wednesday and might be rounding into form offensively. After scoring six of the first seven goals of the season for the Lobos, Chris Wehan has scored just two of the last seven, meaning UNM is finding balanced scoring from the rest of its attackers.
The Lobos also remain undefeated at home. After a draw against then-No. 18 San Diego on Sept. 4, UNM has won its last four at the UNM Soccer Complex, where it averages 1,995 fans per game (16th in the country).
Series Record: 1-1-0
Home: 1-0-0; Road: 0-1-0; Neutral: 0-0-0
Last meeting: This is just the third meeting between the programs, and each team has won its home match: UNM 2-0 in 2013, and UK 1-0 last season in Lexington.
Up Next: The Lobos travel to Norfolk, Va., to faceoff against Old Dominion next Saturday.
SCOUTING KENTUCKY … The Wildcats are tied with the Lobos for the best team GAA in Conference USA. They have allowed just seven goals in eight games, with keeper and Preseason C-USA Defensive Player of the Year Callum Irving leading the way. It’s not just Irving, though, as he has been called on to make just 2.62 saves per game, as UK has done a great job limiting opponents’ chances. Offensively, five players have scored multiple goals with Napo Matsoso perhaps being the most dangerous, but freshman Xahne Reid has come off the bench to score three goals and record three assists to lead the team with nine points.
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. Kentucky is 75th in the rankings.
WEHAN ENTERS TOP 10 … Chris Wehan’s scored the 21st goal of his career on Sept. 30 against San Francisco. That moved him into sole possession of 10th in UNM history. James Rogers and Lance Watson are tied 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 the Lobos did not score in the first half until their ninth match of the season, against USF on Sept. 30, and they 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.
WEHAN CONSENSUS NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK … Chris Wehan swept the National Player of the Week awards by major publications following his back-to-back two-goal games against San Diego and UCSB Sept. 4 and 6. He earned the honor from College Soccer News, Top Drawer Soccer and the NSCAA.
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. Redshirt freshmen Olav Hovstad, Justin Hix and Gabriel Camera all appeared against San Francisco on Sept. 30 for their first action.
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.