Lobo Men's Soccer Falls at San Jose State 1-0

[Mark]

Lobo Men's Soccer Falls at San Jose State 1-0
http://golobos.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/recaps/110908aaa.html

The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team fell on the road to San Jose State 1-0 today. With the loss, the Lobos drop to 9-6-2 on the season and 5-3-0 in MPSF action. San Jose State improves to 8-5-4 overall and 4-4-1 in MPSF play.

San Jose State scored the game’s only goal in the fifth minute. Nick Cukar put home a through-ball from Hiroki Akiyaya and Sam Shore for what would prove to be the game-winner.

The Lobos were not able to organize much offense, putting up just nine shots in the match. It was their second-lowest shot total of the season. Only two of UNM’s attempts were on-goal while Lobo keeper Justin Fite was force to make six saves to keep the game close.

The Lobos did generate five corners to none for San Jose State, but New Mexico could not get the equalizing goal in the net.

The Lobo loss gives Denver the MPSF title and the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Pioneers are 9-5-2 overall and 7-0-1 in MPSF action with two matches to play. New Mexico’s string of four consecutive conference titles is snapped and its three losses in conference play are the most under current head coach Jeremy Fishbein.

Today’s loss was also the first by a Lobo squad at San Jose State since Fishbein took over the program in 2002. UNM came into the match with a 5-0 record at San Jose State under Fishbein. The Spartans had not defeated UNM on their home field since 1997.

The Lobos will need to win both matches at home against Air Force and Denver next weekend to have any chance at an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. With 11 wins and victories over No. 2 Akron and top-25 ranked Michigan State, New Mexico would still have a slim chance to get into the tournament.

The Air Force match is set for 7:00 p.m. (M.S.T.) at the UNM Soccer Complex on Friday, Nov. 14. The Lobos host Denver on Senior Day on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 1:00 p.m.

[Duke]

Was trying to figure out how to keep tabs on the AFA game this coming Friday while attending the hoops game, but after hearing about the loss yesterday, don't need to now...........technically, it's not over, but IT'S OVER.

Sad results for a very promising team......Greg Archuleta should do a little analysis on why this team didn't live up to the hype and potential. How do you screw up the #21 recruiting class and a core of returning uppeclassmen that won conference last year, and with the conference Player-of-the-Year? In all honesty, it was a Ritchie McKay type of performance by Coach Fish this year.....hate to say that, but can't sugar-coat it for PC purposes. Based on his track record and past performances, Coach Fish is the most accomplished coach in the sports program........how did it come to this? Can't just chalk it up to injuries and red cards.

[Duke]

Coach's take:



November 10, 2008


Lobo Faithful:

A weekend of mixed results and crushing emotions. Going into the weekend's
road matches with Sacramento State and San Jose State, we knew that two
victories were required to stay alive in the conference race.

On Friday, we took care of business with a 2-1 hard fought overtime victory
over Sacramento State. After going down a goal in the first half, Simon
Ejdymr evened up the score with a well place penalty kick early in the
second half and Justin Davis blasted the winner from 20 yards in the 3rd
minute of the second overtime. Not the prettiest of games, but we fought
hard and got the needed result. Sunday didn't prove to be as kind.

We drove to San Jose Saturday morning and were unable to get on the game or
training field. The Spartans had a home football game and their facilities
staff wasn't too accommodating. The soccer team shares a grass stadium with
football and with the rain which hit Northern California, the field was a
mess down the center. Four minutes into the match, we were caught sleeping
as a ball was slipped between two of our defenders. 1-0 Spartans. From this
point on, San Jose packed it in and defended fiercely. We controlled the
game, but couldn't really move the ball due to field conditions. The only
way to goal, was through service from wide areas and second balls in the
box. We didn't execute on numerous chances and saw our plans for a fifth
straight conference title crushed.

Denver University clinched the MPSF Title with their 1-0 win over Air Force
on Saturday. Hard to believe, but for the first time since 2000, the Lobos
are out of the conference race prior to the final game.

Our final two games will prove to be a great test of character and a chance
to send our three seniors out in style here at home. This being said, we
still have a chance at receiving an NCAA at-large bid with two wins in our
final contests. Regardless of how the season plays out, Mike Porter, Jack
Smithson and Chris Wright will finish their careers with great distinction.

The regular season finishes up at home with matches this Friday night at
7:00 vs Air Force and Sunday at 1:00 vs Denver. Thanks for the continued
support and GO LOBOS!

Jeremy Fishbein
Lobo Men's Soccer

[Mark]

Explain, McKay like performance? Is the team falling apart at the seams?

[Duke]

No outward evidence of that..........can't tell from the kid's demeanor, just the lack of chemistry on the field at times.
But when there is no substantive reporting, you just have to rely on what you see on the field.

Strictly an "underachievement" type of year with an abundance of road losses, a lack of defense, and losing to some teams we had no business losing to. Sound familiar?
And Fishbein has WAY more talent than McKay ever dreamed of.......
Again - he had the #21 recruiting class, returning upperclassmen that won conference last year, and last year's POY.
And they are out of contention before the season even ends. Wow.

There are some other things that were evident from last year, that carried over to this year and weren't corrected, even with the new recruits, so there is something else at work. I can only guess, and hope it gets better.

[Mark]

Some times teams just dont gel for one reason or another. Thats still pretty disappointing.