Photo Gallery vs. South Carolina in C-USA Tournament
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The University of New Mexico men’s soccer (8-6-4) team dropped its Conference USA Tournament quarterfinal match versus No. 17 South Carolina 1-0 Wednesday evening.
The deciding moments of the match came late in the second half. Josh Dye was fouled just outside South Carolina’s 18-yard box in the 76th minute. Francesco Casucci took the free kick, but it sailed just barely over the crossbar and skimmed the top of the net. Less than a minute later South Carolina (11-6-1) countered and got a mini breakaway. Bjorn Gudjonsson was able to muscle past the Lobo defense and slip a shot past Jason Beaulieu in the 78th minute for the game’s only tally.
“It’s a really disappointing loss,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “It was kind of the story of our season. We carried the majority of the game and had better chances, especially one that needed to be a goal.”
UNM outshot the Gamecocks 12-9, including 5-3 on net, and was awarded four corner kicks to three for South Carolina. The Lobos controlled the ball and pace of play for the majority of the match, but they were unable to put one past William Pyle.
In fact, South Carolina’s goal was one of just two times it dangerously threatened all match. The Gamecocks thought they had opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, but the play was ruled offside. Other than that, though, Chris Wehan, Niko Hansen, Aaron Herrera and company forced the action.
Wehan had a golden opportunity in the 22nd minute when he tried to go near post from about eight yards out, but Pyle was there to thwart him. Hansen and Herrera each had good looks in the second half in the 57th and 58th minutes, respectively, but again Pyle was up to the task.
“It’s gut wrenching,” said Fishbein. “I feel saddest for our two seniors, Josh Dye and Adrian Mora Delgado.”
UNM’s postseason fate is now in the hands of the NCAA Tournament Selection Committee. The Lobos entered the match with the 38th-ranked RPI, and a close loss to the 15th-ranked Gamecocks could possibly help them rise.
“We’re in a funny situation because our RPI is still pretty high, but I don’t know if we get into the tournament,” Fishbein said.
The selection show is set for Monday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. MT. It will be streamed at NCAA.com.
Scoring Summary
South Carolina (77:10): Gudjonsson (Ellingstad)
Cautions
New Mexico: Herrera, yellow (77:06)
South Carolina: none
Starters
South Carolina: Pyle (GK), Walker, Arambula, Burnett, Millard, Kryst, Turner Torda, Deakin, Nyboe, Streete
New Mexico: Beaulieu (GK), Mora Delgado, Rochowski, Goss, Hansen, Khouri, Wehan, Gurule, Herrera, Dye, Kajermo
Notes
- South Carolina’s goal snapped UNM’s scoreless streak at 328:15. It was the first goal the Lobos had allowed since Oct. 27
- Wehan led all players with four shots
Next up
The NCAA selection show is Monday, Nov. 16 at 11 a.m. MT.