Lobo Soccer- at FIU Soccer Stadium
When: Saturday at 5 p.m. (MT)
Who: Florida International Panthers
GoLobos.com: Live stats, box score, live stream, postgame recap
Live stats: Available here
Video: Live (pay) stream available here
Weather Forecast: 80 degrees and mostly clear
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team travels to Miami to face No. 25 FIU for a Conference USA match Saturday night at 5 (MT). This will be the Lobos’ ninth game this season against a team that is either ranked or receiving votes at kickoff. It has proven to be a tough gauntlet for the Lobos, who are just 2-3-2 after starting the season 5-1-1 against five ranked opponents, that included then-No. 1 UCLA on the road.
Now the Lobos must prepare for the offensive force that is FIU. The Panthers are fifth in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 2.36 goals per game. UNM, meanwhile, is averaging exactly one goal per game less than their counterparts Saturday night. The Lobos will need excellent performances from their back line, led by junior center backs Nicholas Rochowski and Chris Gurule, their sophomore goalkeeper, Jason Beaulieu, and their central holding mids: Josh Dye, Patrick Khouri and Adrian Mora Delgado.
Perhaps just as importantly, though, would be an attack that can apply pressure the FIU’s defense. If Chris Wehan, Niko Hansen, et al are able to maintain possession in the attacking third and force the Panthers into some panicky decisions, that will give some relief to UNM’s defenders.
The Lobos need a result to solidify their hold on a spot in the Conference USA Tournament. The top seven teams make it, and UNM is currently holding onto that seventh spot by a single point of Florida Atlantic, with Marshall three points back.
Series Record: 3-2-0
Home: 3-0-0; Road: 0-0-0; Neutral: 0-2-0
Last meeting: UNM defeated the Panthers 2-0 last season.
Up Next: The Lobos host Florida Atlantic in their final match of the regular season on Friday, Nov. 6. It will be Senior Night for UNM’s two seniors, Josh Dye and Adrian Mora Delgado.
SCOUTING FIU … The Panthers are among the NCAA leaders in offense, ranking fifth in the country at 2.36 goals per game. Nine players have scored multiple goals this season, led by Luis Betancur with seven in just 11 games. Daniel Gonzalez (5 G, 2 A) and Brad Fountain (4 G, 3 A) are also dangerous with the ball. Defensively, FIU allows 1.42 goals per game with Arthur Clapot (5-2-0, 1.28 GAA, .700 sv pct) and Robin Spiegel (4-3-0, 1.57 GAA, .621 sv pct) splitting time in goal with seven starts apiece. Clapot has the only shutout for FIU this season.
TRIO NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT … Three Lobos earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors on Oct. 29. Sophomore keeper Jason Beaulieu and junior center back Chris Gurule both earned the award for the first time. Senior midfielder Josh Dye earned it for the second straight year after being named Second Team Academic All-American last season.
RPI UPDATE … The Lobos checked in at No. 37 in the latest NCAA RPI update on Monday while FIU is 20th in the rankings.
CASUCCI È MOLTO BENE … Freshman Francesco Casucci led UNM’s 3-2 comeback win over UAB on Oct. 18 with two goals and an assist. His efforts earned him C-USA Offensive Player of the Week honors and a spot on College Soccer News’ Team of the Week.
GLEADLE ON THE BOARD … After coming frustratingly close on numerous occasions, including having one taken off for being called offside, sophomore forward Sam Gleadle nabbed his first career goal against UAB on Oct. 18. It also happened to be the game-winner as the Lobos rallied from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
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.
WEHAN CLIMBS TOP 10 … Chris Wehan’s scored the 23rd goal of his career on Oct. 23 at Marshall. That moved him into a seventh-place tie in UNM history with Mario Picazo. Chris Wright and Devon Sandoval are tied for fifth with 26.
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.