Lobo Soccer- at UNM Soccer Complex (6,200)
When: Wednesday at 7 p.m. (MT)
Who: Valparaiso Crusaders
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Weather Forecast: 75 degrees and clear
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team has been in a slide recently, having lost three of its last four games (albeit two were in overtime and all three against teams currently ranked in the top 15). The Lobos will look to snap out of their funk and regain their winning ways when they host the Valparaiso Crusaders Wednesday night at 7 at the UNM Soccer Complex. It’s the first of four home matches over the final four weeks of the season for UNM, which still has a lot to play for despite its recent skid.
“We feel fortunate to have everything in front of us,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “You’re sitting here at 6-4-1 and you feel like it’s all over and everything is against you, but then you look at where you stand in the RPI and rankings, and you’re still in the mix. And you have four of your last six games at home and you’re healthy, so there’s a lot to look forward to.”
The Lobos remain in great shape in the RPI coming in at No. 24 in the latest rankings released by the NCAA on Monday. But in order to stay in good shape, they need to take care of business, and it begins against a tough, determined Valpo squad that comes in having allowed just nine goals in 11 matches. That’s potentially bad news for a Lobo squad that has been shut out over its last five halves of soccer.
“We’ve generated attack, we’ve had chances, but we haven’t put them away,” Fishbein said. “I believe (guys like Niko Hansen and Sam Gleadle) are going to put it in the net down the stretch.”
Hansen was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week earlier this season, and Gleadle has had numerous close calls, including having a goal waved off due to an offside call, so they are certainly capable of special play, but the Lobos will need a concentrated team effort to crack Valpo’s defense, which has six shutouts in 11 matches this season.
“Tomorrow we face a good Valparaiso team,” Fishbein said. “They’re well organized and a couple of dangerous attacking players. It should be a good one, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Series Record: 0-0-0
Home: 0-0-0; Road: 0-0-0; Neutral: 0-0-0
Last meeting: This will be the first meeting between the programs.
Up Next: The Lobos remain at home with a C-USA game against UAB Sunday night at 6.
SCOUTING VALPARAISO … The Crusaders are an excellent road team, posting a 4-3-1 record away from home, including a win at No. 18 Western Michigan on Sept. 23. Like the Lobos they have played a lot of low-scoring games this season, scoring just 12 goals and allowing nine in 11 games. Their top threat is Isaiah Madrid, an Albuquerque native from Eldorado, who has five goals and one assist. Valpo has another native of the Duke City and Eldorado grad in defender Deven Mason, also a junior. Junior keeper Nico Campbell is one of seven Jamaicans on the roster and has started all 11 games in goal for the Crusaders. He has made 30 saves and posted a .769 save percentage with six shutouts.
HERRERA CALLED UP TO U.S. U20 … Freshman defender Aaron Herrera was called up to the U.S. U20 team for the Four Nations Tournament in Germany and missed UNM’s loss at Old Dominion on Oct. 10.
RPI UPDATE … The Lobos checked in at No. 24 in the latest NCAA RPI update, while Valpo is 53rd 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.
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.