Lobos Tie Charlotte on Senior Night, 0-0
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team played to a 0-0 draw in double overtime against the visiting Charlotte 49ers on Saturday in the Lobo seniors’ final scheduled match at the UNM Soccer Complex. Seniors honored on the evening included Sam Gleadle, Luke Lawrence, Lucas Seligman and Jason Beaulieu.
On his final scheduled game at the UNM Soccer Complex, Beaulieu tallied his 22nd career shutout, his fifth of the season and his second this week.
The Lobos (8-4-4, 3-2-2 C-USA) were outshot by Charlotte (6-4-5, 2-1-4 C-USA) on the night 19-16 with both teams accumulating solid chances throughout 110 minutes. New Mexico posted eight corner kicks to three for the 49ers and Beaulieu collected seven saves.
“It was a tough game where both teams had some chances. We’re just two teams fighting late in the season and we’re both kind of in the same spot,” head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “I’m proud of our guys, we defended well, it was just about trying to take a moment, for either team, and neither team could put one away.”
63′ | Beaulieu registers a close SAVE to keep it 0-0! #GoLobos pic.twitter.com/Cbougl5bRG
— Lobo Men’s Soccer (@UNMLoboMSoccer) October 29, 2017
The Lobos are still ranked fourth in the Conference USA standings with 11 points, just one point ahead of Charlotte, which sits in fifth. Both teams will make their way to the 2017 Conference USA Tournament which begins on Nov. 8 in Norfolk, Va.
Saturday night’s match, while unfruitful in scoring, was highlighted by several exciting plays for UNM including an indirect kick awarded to junior Aaron Herrera with close to 20 minutes left in regulation. Charlotte keeper and C-USA Preseason Defensive Player of the Year Elliot Panicco dropped and retrieved the ball just outside the box prior to a goal kick to bring the Lobos back to their offensive third. Herrera fired but was blocked by the 49er wall.
Herrera followed up immediately however, and sent a rocket flying just past the right post. In another impressive shot, junior Simon Spangenberg fired on target from the far right wing with less than five to play in regulation. The strong shot was saved by Panicco.
Several Lobo defenders played well, including freshman Nick Barreiro who put on the moves in the second overtime period. With the 49ers closing in, Barreiro stepped up and battled, fell and then returned to the play by leaping over another 49er to get back on the ball and boot it from the box.
Herrera led the Lobos with eight shots, one on goal while Spangenberg tallied three shots, two on goal. Nine Lobos played all 110 minutes. Charlotte was led by its leading scorer on the season, Daniel Bruce, who had eight shots, three on goal.
The Lobos next take on Old Dominion on the road in their regular-season finale on Friday, Nov. 3.