Tough scheduling pays off: Lobos ranked #14

[Duke]

Lobos #14 In Initial RPI
New Mexico has beaten three teams in the RPI Top 48

Oct. 14, 2009

Lobos Open Conference Play With Seattle, CSUB (http://www.golobos.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/101309aab.html)


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.--The University of New Mexico men's soccer team is finally getting some love for playing one of the most competitive non-conference schedules in the country. The Lobos are No. 14 in the first Ratings Percentage Index released by the NCAA this week. New Mexico has beaten some of the top teams in the nation so far this season, notching wins over California, Notre Dame, Saint Louis, and Cal State Northridge, among others.

The Lobos are building a strong resume for being a Men's College Cup participant, as they have beaten three teams in the Top 48 of the season's initial RPI. New Mexico boasts wins over No. 15 California (8-3-0), No. 24 Notre Dame (7-4-1), and No. 43 St. Louis (7-4-0). The Lobos are also 1-0 against teams in the Top 15 of the initial RPI.

The RPI is one of the most important criteria the NCAA uses to determine the teams and seeding for the NCAA Tournament following the regular season. 22 of the 48 slots are reserved for automatic conference bids, and the rest of the tournament slots are filled through at-large bids. The RPI's mathematical formula is designed to objectively compare results and strength of schedule.

New Mexico has made the trip to the NCAA Tournament six out of the last eight years. The Lobos won the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament all six of those years.

New Mexico (6-4-0) opens MPSF play this weekend with games against Seattle (1-7-1) and Cal State Bakersfield (5-3-2). Though New Mexico is the only MPSF team represented in the Top 48, Cal State Bakersfield is the next MPSF team in line, coming in at 74 in this initial RPI.

The Lobos take on Seattle at 7 p.m. Friday night for "Stuff the Stadium," a promotion that kicks off conference play with $2 tickets for fans. New Mexico takes on CSUB at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Please visit GoLobos.com for more information and a complete preview of this weekend's games

[Duke]

Funny how the rankings work.

Back when we beat Notre Dame (at their place...) they were ranked #10 in the pre-season polls, St. Louis was ranked #21, and Cal was ranked #4 - plus we beat then #12 ranked Tulsa in a pre-season exhibition!!!!!!!. I guess since we beat them, they weren't that good???????

Who know how this stuff works? But #14 is GREAT !!!!

It'll have to do, since we play in a weak conference and won't get any love beating in-conference teams. We have to win out - like always - to keep some national prominence. And this is the team that can do it - if they just stay focused and realize that everyone in conference is gunning for us and we are their Superbowl and gonna get their best shot every night. Stay the course Lobos, and goods things are in store.

[dcrowley]

Great stuff, Duke. Too bad "Stuff the Stadium" is on the same night as the Howl.

[loborick]

Great stuff, Duke. Too bad "Stuff the Stadium" is on the same night as the Howl.

Yep. Don't the programs look at each others schedules? It seems there are always overlaps. And I have to defer to the major programs. I would have gladly gone to the soccer game Friday night, since I don't have much opportunity. Now I don't have it.

[Duke]

Believe it or not, after tonight's game, there are ONLY 2 MORE HOME GAMES.

This Sunday we play at 1:00 p.m. against CS Bakersfield, and Saturday, Nov. 7 we play UNLV at 7:00 p.m. Everything else is on the road, including the conference tourney.

Catch 'em while, and if, you can.

[loboray]

Now this team needs to take care of business and go through conference undefeated. That should be good enough to keep them ranked and get a decent seed in the NCAA's









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