ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team battled to a 1-1 draw with the visiting Valparaiso Crusaders on a mostly dark evening at the UNM Soccer Complex on Wednesday. The start of the game was delayed 45 minutes due to the bank of lights on the west side of the stadium failing to work.
At first it seemed like it played to the Lobos’ advantage. They have done most of their offensive damage in the second half of games all season, but it took them less than a minute to open the scoring in this one.
Chris Wehan took a nice feed from Sam Gleadle and buried it to the bottom left corner to give UNM (6-4-2) the advantage just 35 seconds in. It was Wehan’s ninth goal of the season and 22nd of his career.
“You couldn’t ask for more. We scored in the first minute,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “And we did have some very good chances (later), and if you put those away you take care of the game.”
Niko Hansen’s blast rocketed off the post in the 15th minute, and Kasper Kajermo had a wonderful opportunity but couldn’t convert a beautiful feed from Wehan 10minutes later due to a sprawling save by Valpo’s Nico Campbell.
With the score 1-0 at halftime the lights came on and illuminated the field, but it also seemed to invigorate the Crusaders (6-3-3-). They finished with 30 shots, just two shy of a record for a UNM opponent. Despite the large number, however, most came from distance and were not very threatening. Their most dangerous chance early in the second half came in the 71st minute when Chris Gurule had to head a lofted shot over the bar that had eluded keeper Jason Beaulieu.
The Crusaders were able to maintain possession for stretches late and eventually tied the game in the 86th minute to send the game to overtime. Beaulieu made a fabulous diving save in the first extra session to preserve the tie for the Lobos.
“It’s a pretty disappointing result,” Fishbein said, “but as the game played out you’re probably fortunate to get out of there with a tie. … But that was a good opponent. I thought they came in here really ready to play. My hat’s off to them.”
Scoring Summary
New Mexico (00:35): Wehan (Gleadle)
Valparaiso: (85:17): Gweh (Madrid)
Cautions
New Mexico: none
Valparaiso: Gandarilla, yellow (67:43); Madrid, yellow (98:12)
Starters
Valparaiso: Campbell (GK), Gandarilla, Graham, Gweh, Thompson, Aidoud, Howell, Mason, Madrid, Lawrence, Landaverde
New Mexico: Beaulieu (GK), Casucci, Rochowski, Goss, Hansen, Khouri, Wehan, Gurule, Dye, Gleadle, Kajermo
Notes
- Wehan moved into an eighth-place tie in UNM history with his goal, drawing even with James Rogers and Lance Watson
- Wayde Scibilia came on as a substitute and saw his first action of the season. He finished with 27 minutes played
- The record for shots by a Lobo opponent is 32 set by Illinois in 1989
- Patrick Khouri made his first career start at right back for UNM
Next up
The Lobos host UAB Sunday night at 6 in a Conference USA match.