New Mexico Lobos
Overall Rank: #10
#1 Conference USA
New Mexico Team Page
New Mexico had another great season in 2013 and played their best soccer in the NCAA Tournament. The Lobos cruised past George Mason, Penn State and Washington to reach the College Cup. In those three games, the team did not allow a single goal. UNM was paired up with Notre Dame in the College Cup and of course the Irish were on their way to winning it all. This year New Mexico has some rebuilding to do, but long time coach Jeremy Fishbein will have this team competing for another conference title and another trip to the College Cup.
2013 Record: 14-6-2, 7-1-1
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Jeremy Fishbein
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Niko Hansen, Sophomore, M/F, 7; James Rogers, Senior, F/M, 7
Assists: James Rogers, Senior, F/M, 6
Shots: James Rogers, Senior, F/M, 57
Saves: None
Other Key Returnees: M Ben McKendry, M Christopher Wehan, D/M Oniel Fisher, D Riley McGovern, D Mathew Gibbons, D Nick Miele
Key Losses: M Michael Calderon, M Michael Kafari, D Kyle Venter, GK Michael Lisch
Strengths:
The Lobos did not have the most potent offense in 2013 and there are a few concerns now without Michael Calderon and his six goals and five assists on the team, but the offense still has plenty of talented weapons to work with. James Rogers and Niko Hansen are both back after tallying seven goals each last season. Those two also combined for 13 assists. Ben McKendry and Christopher Wehan are very good midfielders who can finish themselves or help build up towards the efficient scorers up top. But perhaps it is a transfer that could lead this team in scoring. Junior Kevin Correa earned some All-American accolades after scoring 13 goals and adding six assists last season for St. Francis Brooklyn. He will immediately be a target player in the box. Freshman Sam Gleadle could add yet another spark to the unit.
Weaknesses:
As those three NCAA Tournament shutouts would indicate, the Lobos had a very good defense in 2013. But now they are without arguably the best defender in the country in Kyle Venter and one of the best keepers in Michael Lisch. Venter was drafted in the second round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, while Lisch went in the third. Coach Fishbein will build around returning starters Oniel Fisher, Mathew Gibbons and Nick Miele to anchor the back line. But players like Venter do not come around very often.
Final Projection:
Like last year, New Mexico will test themselves in the non-conference slate. They play Akron, UCLA, Cal State Northridge and VCU in the first month of the season. Conference USA will not be all that easy with squads like UAB, Charlotte and Old Dominion, but New Mexico has the most talent of any of them and will be favored to take home another title.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.59 (51st in nation, 5th in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.88 (40, 2)
Shutout Percentage: 0.50 (11, 2)
Save Percentage: 0.714 (149, 7)
Madness 2014 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#71 Sam Gleadle
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Men's Soccer Previews
