BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A well-placed, second-half goal by Devin Boyce and a sterling defensive performance paced The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team to a key 1-0 victory over UAB Wednesday night at BBVA Compass Field.
The victory gives the Lobos (8-6-1 overall, 2-3-1 C-USA) three points and moves them into a tie for fifth in the conference with seven points – knotted up with the team New Mexico beat Friday night, UAB (6-7-3, 2-4-1).
“It was a big-time win tonight and I couldn’t be prouder,” New Mexico coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “That was a big-time goal by Devin Boyce and we just defended, played with heart and made good decisions. It was just a really important performance and result for us. Now we can enjoy this, recover and get ready for the next one.”
The contest remained scoreless through the first 70-plus minutes before New Mexico’s Matt Dorsey picked up the ball in transition and found Boyce sprinting up the field. Following a couple of dribbles, the freshman let loose a shot from 25 yards out that made its way past diving UAB keeper Joe Kuzminsky into the bottom-left corner of the goal for a 1-0 Lobo advantage in the 75th minute.
The Lobos appeared they were going to add insurance three minutes later when Boyce had an opportunity near the top of the penalty area, but his shot was saved by the approaching Kuzminsky. The rebound was picked up by Sam Gleadle and the junior put a shot on frame with the keeper out of the goal box, but a Blazer defender was there to get a foot on it and clear it away.
UAB’s final true chance came in the 80th minute when on a corner kick a Blazer headed the ball on frame near the top of the goal. However, UNM keeper Jason Beaulieu used all of his 6-foot-4 frame to stretch up high and guide the ball over the crossbar to preserve the Lobos’ lead.
Beaulieu tied a season high with five saves and made several other key plays to help preserve the Lobo shutout – his fifth of the season and the Lobos’ sixth as a team in 2016.
In the first half, the Lobos and Blazers had their chances to get on the board.
The Blazers appeared they might strike first when Chandler Stroupe broke free on the right side. However, the Lobos’ Nick Rochowski was able to close ground quickly to deflect what looked like a wide-open shot a second earlier out of bounds to end the threat.
A minute later it was the Lobos on the attack when Chris Wehan made a great run down the middle, drew the UAB defense to him and dished it to his left to an open Josh Goss. But the UAB keeper Kuzminsky made a great save to keep the contest scoreless.
UNM had a flurry of chances in the 34th minute as a Wehan free kick was headed by Rochowski on goal, but Kuzminsky got just enough of it to pop it over the goal. On the ensuing free kick, Aaron Herrera got a head on it – but the ball floated over the crossbar and the contest remained scoreless.
The Lobos finished with 11 shots (six on goal) while UAB had 14 shots (five on goal).
Boyce paced New Mexico with three shots (all on goal) while Rochowski and Herrera had two shots apiece.
The Lobos return home to take on No. 25 South Carolina 6 p.m. Sunday at UNM Soccer Complex.