ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team lost its Conference USA game Tuesday night to the visiting Charlotte 49ers 2-0. Charlotte scored twice in the first half and thwarted every Lobo attack in the second 45 minutes.
“We got out-competed that first half,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “That’s the single biggest thing.”
Brandt Bonico scored the game’s first goal at 20:21 of the first off on a nice top-shelf shot, and Kyle Parker added Charlotte’s (8-4-2, 5-0-1 C-USA) second tally at 38:55 off a corner kick.
The Lobos (7-5-3, 1-4-1 C-USA) had a couple of opportunities in the second half, but they were unable to crack the stout 49ers defense.
“We created some half-chances and had some good sequences but just didn’t have the same kind of composure and competitiveness and confidence about us,” Fishbein said.
Josh Goss moved from left back to the midfield to start the second half and had UNM’s best chance early in the second 45. Just three minutes in he took the ball down the far side and into the 18 before unleashing a powerful shot at the far post that was saved by Charlotte’s Austin Pack.
The Lobos had another great chance in the 77th minute when Chris Wehan found some time and space on the near side. He sent in a cross towards Nicholas Rochowski, who had moved up from his center back position to provide another threat. Rochowski had a step on the defender, but the ball was just barely out of his reach and shot out the other side of the box.
UNM’s keeper, Jason Beaulieu, set a career high with nine saves and was solid in goal to help the Lobos stay within striking distance.
“(Charlotte) brought a lot of momentum and a lot of confidence into the game, and they beat us,” Fishbein said. “It’s a pretty disappointing result.”
Scoring Summary
Charlotte (20:21): Bronico (Stewart, Parker)
Charlotte (38:55): Parker (Rodriguez)
Cautions
New Mexico: none
Charlotte: Stewart, yellow (5:38); Savinon, yellow (13:47)
Starters
Charlotte: Pack (GK), Stewart, Agnew, Rodriguez, Bronico, Dekovic, Honer Waetcher, Parker, Wilson, Montgomery
New Mexico: Beaulieu (GK), Dorsey, Rochowski, Goss, Hansen, Khouri, Wehan, Gurule, Herrera, Dye, Gleadle
Notes
- Goss led the Lobos with two shots on net and three shots overall
Next up
The Lobos travel to Florida International for a Conference USA match on Saturday at 5 p.m. MT.