by Kristie Boudwin
Daily Lobo
After touring the world and almost playing in the Olympics, making UNM's defense better may not seem like too much pressure for Andrew Boyens.
"We did pretty well, but I look to improve this season," said Boyens, the center back for the UNM men's soccer team.
That might be a little modest. The men's soccer defense topped UNM's school record with 0.58 goals against average, ranking sixth nationally last year. The defense also led the team to 11 shutouts. Only three teams in the NCAA had more last season.
"I think the defense may be even stronger now," Boyens said. "We have more experience together, and the longer you play together the better it gets."
Last season was Boyens' first at UNM. At the end of last season, he was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Co-Player of the Year and MPSF Newcomer of the Year.
Boyens is a New Zealand native and transferred from the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.
"I put my name out there and said I may be interested in going to the States," Boyens said. "I gave some coaches my name, started talking and decided to come here. I had other options, but UNM looked like the best program."
Boyens joined the UNM team and said his teammates made it easy for him to fit right in.
"It is a very nice team with awesome talent," Boyens said. "When playing on such a quality team, it is never that hard to adjust."
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Head coach Jeremy Fishbein said the transition wasn't a big deal for Boyens.
"He fit right in from Day One," Fishbein said. "He is just a joy to be around off and on the field."
Boyens came to UNM with impressively varied experiences in his young soccer career. He toured Argentina and Chile with Otago's under-20 team.
"I don't think I had ever played with players that talented before," Boyens said. "Those guys just live and breathe football and have since they were born. It was the first time I had gone up against teams of that high quality."
Boyens played for New Zealand's under-23 national team in 2003. The team lost to Australia in the qualifying finals for the 2004 Olympics.
Fishbein said Boyens' international experience brings a lot to the team.
"Outside of him being a great player, the biggest thing he contributes is a lot of spirit and a different perspective on the game," Fishbein said.
Boyens said soccer at UNM is comparable to the soccer he played in the past.
"Soccer is pretty similar in every country," he said. "In NCAA soccer, there are more substitutions than I was ever used to. Not many people get tired during games because they can sub out."
He adjusted to the pace of the game, playing 1,865 minutes last season, more than any other player on the team.
Boyens said given the chance, he plans to play international soccer again and would play for the New Zealand national team in the future.
Fishbein said he is sure the opportunity will be there for Boyens.
"I think he will play professional somewhere in the world," Fishbein said. "There is no question about that. Most importantly he is a great student, and comes from a great family that values education. He will be successful in everything he does."
