ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team suffered a disappointing loss to the visiting Kentucky Wildcats Sunday evening, allowing the golden goal with just 1:26 remaining in double overtime to fall 1-0. It was the second straight overtime loss to start Conference USA play for the Lobos (6-3-1, 0-2-0).
“It’s pretty disappointing,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “I don’t think we deserved to win it. But we had our chances, so I’m not saying we deserved to lose either. That was a tough one.”
The Wildcat’s goal came on a run of play after UNM sent a free kick into Kentucky’s box, but the Lobos were whistled for a foul. The Wildcats (6-2-1, 3-0-0) were able to maintain a little possession in UNM’s half and found a way to get the ball into the back of the net.
The first half was a somewhat sloppy affair with 13 total fouls as each team tried to solve the other.
“In the first half we didn’t come out well,” Fishbein said. “I thought we were fortunate to go into halftime (scoreless).”
The Lobos picked up play in the second 45 minutes, though. They were able to maintain sustained pressure in the final third and forced the Wildcats into a couple panicky clearances that led to four corner kicks.
“I thought we started getting into good areas, but it was just that final piece in the attacking third that we weren’t able to put the ball in the net or find the last pass,” Fishbein said. “But I thought we had moments. We just didn’t take our chances … and we had a couple decent ones. But to win games guys have to put those away.”
Niko Hansen had a chance to end it in the second overtime with a little time and space inside UK’s 18-yard box. However, his shot was a little rushed and he sent it well over the crossbar.
Chris Wehan led UNM with four shots, including one off a free kick in the second half that was just high and wide of the top right corner.
“I was confident (going to overtime),” said Fishbein. “I thought we were playing really well at the end of the half. I thought we were good, we had good energy, and I thought we were going to win. That was the mentality of the guys, too. That was a tough one.”
Scoring Summary
Kentucky (108:34): Stojkovic (Matsoso)
Cautions
New Mexico: Khouri, yellow (40:03)
Kentucky: Sime, yellow (69:18)
Starters
Kentucky: Irving (GK), Bumpus, Reymann, Agerstrom, Wilson, Matsoso, Sime, McKelvey, Hutchins, Hummel, Tollefeson
New Mexico: Beaulieu (GK), Casucci, Rochowski, Goss, Hansen, Khouri, Wehan, Gurule, Herrera, Dye, Kajermo
Notes
- Attendance was 1,631 on a chilly, windy fall evening
- Wehan and Josh Dye played all 109 minutes in the midfield for UNM
Next up
The Lobos travel to Norfolk, Va., to play the Old Dominion Monarchs in C-USA play.