Lobos fall to #19-ranked 49ers on late goal
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – In the regular season finale on Saturday night, the University of New Mexico men’s soccer team suffered a tough loss on the road at No. 19-ranked Charlotte as the 49ers scored the game-winning goal late in the 88th minute of the game to claim the 1-0 victory.
The Lobos (4-11-1, 2-5-1 C-USA) will now be the No. 7-seed in the upcoming Conference USA Tournament. As the No. 7-seed, the Lobos will take on No. 2-seed Old Dominion in the quarterfinals on Wednesday, November 7. First-kick for that game is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. (MT) and will be streamed on ESPN+. Earlier this season, the Lobos and Monarchs met in Albuquerque and it was Old Dominion that came away with the win, 2-1.
“Tonight was a tough one, it was a tough way to lose,” head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “Second-phase ball off their corner kick was deflected by our player into the net – story of our season thus far. This team deserves better, but our second season starts on Wednesday!”
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In the game on Saturday night, the Lobos entered with a tall task ahead of them as the 49ers (12-3-1, 6-2-0 C-USA) possessed one of the stingiest defenses in the country, allowing the fewest goals against this season; a mere seven.
That stat would play itself out in the first half as the Lobos were unable to get off a shot through the first 45 minutes of play. Despite the difficulties penetrating the 49ers defense in the first half, the Lobos kept it a scoreless tie with solid defensive play.
The 49ers would get off nine shots in the opening half, but none came on goal against Ford Parker.
In the second half, Charlotte continued to apply pressure on the Lobo defense with nine more shots. This time, the 49ers put four on goal with the last of those being the eventual game-winner.