Open Announce

Lobos set to play another nationally-ranked opponent

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NEW MEXICO
LOBOS
3-5-0 (1-1-0 C-USA)
#10 SAINT MARY’S
GAELS
9-0-0 (0-0-0 WCC)

Wednesday, September 26, 2018
UNM Soccer Complex – Albuquerque, N.M.
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UNM MATCH NOTES (PDF)

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Another week forthcoming in the 2018 season for the UNM men’s soccer team and another nationally-ranked opponent awaits as the Lobos are set to step out of conference play and host No. 10-ranked Saint Mary’s on Wednesday, September 26 at 7 p.m. at the UNM Soccer Complex. The Gaels (9-0-0) are one of 10 teams remaining in NCAA Division I to not suffer a loss to this point, but are also just one of two that have not seen a game end in a draw either.

The Lobos (3-5-0) are coming off of a shutout victory their last time out as they blanked Florida Atlantic this past Saturday on the road. It was the Lobos first win in Conference-USA this season and also their first shutout as well.

UNM’s defense will likely be tested by the high-powered offensive attack of Saint Mary’s. The Gaels will enter the game ranked first in DI in Points Scored (75) and Goals Scored (27).

vs. Saint Mary’s
Series Record: 1-0-0
When Saint Mary’s is Ranked: 0-0-0
In Overtime: 0-0-0
Last Meeting: UNM and Saint Mary’s have just one previous matchup prior to Wednesday’s game. That lone match came back in 1992 when UNM beat Saint Mary’s handily, 6-1.

Lobos Begin Three-Game Homestand
The next three games for the Lobos will be played within the friendly confines of the UNM Soccer Complex as the men’s soccer team will play home games against nationally-ranked Saint Mary’s this Wednesday, Florida International on Saturday, September 29 and then Loyola Marymount on Tuesday, October 2. Traditionally, the Lobos have been nearly unbeatable at home, but will be looking to improve upon their current 1-3 mark at home.

Schedule Full of Ranked Teams
Four of UNM’s first five matchups of the season have been against ranked squads at the time of the game including No. 22 Seattle, No. 24 Washington, No. 30 Cal State Fullerton and No. 23 Tulsa. Half of those ranked matchups came at home with the Lobos hosting Seattle and Washington in consecutive games. UNM went 1-1 against those opponents and is also 1-1 against ranked teams on the road.

In their victories against Seattle and Cal State Fullerton, the Lobos scored a combined nine goals with five coming against Cal State Fullerton. 

CSUN was also ranked at one point this season, making the first five squads the Lobos have taken on, be top-30 teams in 2018. Old Dominion was receiving votes in the national poll at the time of the game against the Lobos and now the Monarchs are currently ranked.

With the 9-0-0 start to their season, UNM’s upcoming opponent Saint Mary’s is ranked No. 10 making them the sixth opponent the Lobos have played be ranked at the time of the game.

Offense on Fire – Leading C-USA
In the first eight games, the Lobos have racked up 42 points on 14 goals with 14 assists to lead C-USA in all three categories. Individually, Tom Smart is tied for the lead in the C-USA in assists, racking up five thus far. He has also registered an assist in three of his last four games.

Scores Galore!
Last season, the Lobos scored 25 goals all season. With 14 goals in eight games, UNM has surpassed the halfway point of that mark. Only four players scored three goals or more in 2017, but this 2018 squad features two players with at least three goals and another two that are a goal shy of the mark. Freshman Omar Grey currently leads the team with five goals, followed by sophomore Matt Puig with three. Senior Antoine Vial and sophomore Nick Taylor have registered two apiece. Billy Jones and Simon Spangenberg joined the goal scoring party with their first goals of the season against Flordia Atlantic.

Freshman Phenom
Freshman midfielder Omar Grey has gotten his collegiate career off to a resounding start. The Seattle, Wash. native has not started a game yet for UNM, but has played in all eight games thus far. Despite not being a starter, Grey has come off the bench and sparked the Lobos’ offense as he currently leads the team with five goals. Four of those came in consecutive games (9/2 – 9/15).

Two Protecting One
Redshirt-junior Ford Parker and true freshman Alex Fetterly have both seen time in goal for the Lobos this season with Parker getting the lion’s share of the work thus far. Parker started the first six games and registered 25 saves for a .714 save percentage in 552:27 minutes. Fetterly has started the last two games and logged the lone shutout for the team this season, blanking FAU. On the season, Fetterly has saved 85% of shots on goal he has faced.