After stringing together five wins in a row, the Lobos were eager to continue their fine run of form. The Lobos traveled to Stockton, California last weekend to participate in the 3rd annual Mountain Pacific Invitational, a tournament they had won the previous year.
This time, though, it wasn’t meant to be.
The Lobos played Fresno State University for their first round match, which consistent solely of singles play, and the Lobos lost all but one.
The first point went to the Bulldogs, as sophomore Mantas Bugailiskis beat UNM junior Jorge Escutia 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 6 position. UNM junior Bart van Leijsen then lost to junior Xander Veys 6-1, 6-4 at the No. 1 position, and Lobo sophomore Ricky Hernandez-Tong lost 7-5, 6-4 at the No. 2 to senior Euan McIntosh soon after.
UNM freshman Dominic West was able to win at the No. 4 spot against freshman Henrique Osorio 6-4, 6-0, but by then the damage was done. Lobo freshman Lawrence Perrin lost the final match at the No. 5 spot 6-3, 6-2 to junior Youssef Hassan, sealing a 4-1 victory for the Bulldogs.
Because the Lobos lost their first round match, they played the University of San Francisco — the loser of the match between UCSF and the University of the Pacific — in consolation play.
The Lobos took the lead against UCF through Escutia, who defeated freshman Paul Giraud 6-4, 6-4 at the No. 6 position. After Escutia’s win, the Lobos lost the remaining singles matches.
Hernandez-Tong lost to freshman Marc Zincirli at the No. 2 position 6-2, 7-6, and Rodolfo Jauregui fell to sophomore Ryan Marker 6-3, 6-2 at the No. 3 spot. At the No. 5 spot, Perrin was defeated by senior Woravin Kumthonkittikul 6-3, 6-2. Van Leijsen lost narrowly 5-7, 7-5, 6-4 at the No. 1 spot, giving the Bears a 4-1 win over the Lobos.
The Lobos would have faced Grand Canyon University on Sunday for the 7th place match, but the match was canceled due to inclement weather.
The Lobos will travel again to California this weekend to face UC Santa Barbara and UC Irvine. UNM will play UCSB on Friday at 2:30 p.m. in Santa Barbara, and then UC Irvine on Saturday at noon in Irvine.
The Lobos will have three days of rest after that before playing at home for only the second time this season, against Northern Arizona University.
Matthieu Cartron is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers women’s soccer. He can be reached at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @cartron_matt.
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