#2 Washington vs. #7 New Mexico 2013 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinal Game Breakdown
#2 Washington vs. #7 New Mexico, 8 p.m. Saturday
Behind goals from Oniel Fisher and Riley McGovern, New Mexico topped Penn State by a 2-0 margin in the Sweet 16 round and continued on to the quarterfinals for the second time in school history. New Mexico last reached the Elite Eight in 2005, which happened to be the year the Lobos went all the way to the national championship game. New Mexico is in pretty good company here. Maryland and Connecticut were the only schools besides New Mexico to take part in their third consecutive round of 16. Both Maryland and Connecticut also reached the Elite Eight, so all three programs appear to be marching in lockstep. New Mexico is 8-1-1 in NCAA tournament matches played at home, but the Lobos have to travel to Seattle for this matchup on Saturday. It will be a reunion of sorts for Washington head coach Jamie Clark, who was a former assistant coach at New Mexico the same year the Lobos went to the national championship match. By virtue of Washington’s 1-0 win over Stanford, the Huskies have reached the Elite Eight for the first time in the program’s history. Ian Lange scored off a flip throw-in 85 minutes into what was a tense game between Pac-12 Conference powers. Washington and New Mexico have not faced each other this year, but home-field advantage could take a toll on New Mexico. Washington is 10-0-2 in home games this year. The only Husky loss was on the road against UCLA, and that was a 2-1 margin.
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