by Matt Hemmendinger
Daily Lobo
The UNM men's soccer team is striving to equal last year's unprecedented success.
"We would like to do everything we did last year and then improve from there," head coach Jeremy Fishbein said.
Everything includes repeating as Mountain Pacific Sports Federation regular and post-season champions as well as going to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Lobos would also like to match or improve on their impressive 18-4 overall record posted a year ago. But more importantly, they want to continue to grow and improve as a team.
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UNM will have a good foundation to work with after losing just two seniors from last year's squad.
The team's growth will be tested early in the season. In their second game, the Lobos play 11th-ranked Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Panthers finished last season 19-2-1, posting one of the best records in the nation. Wisconsin-Milwaukee is one of four opponents UNM will face that is ranked in the Collegesoccernews.com Top 30 poll.
On Oct. 9, the Lobos will play defending national champions UCLA. Tougher games on the schedule include sixth-ranked Southern Methodist University and No. 19 UC-Santa Barbara. UNM is ranked 20th in the poll.
The ranking comes as a welcome boost for the Lobos, encouraging the team as it approaches the season.
"The ranking has made them realize expectations are high," Fishbein said. "It's something to aspire to."
The players have even higher expectations. Both midfielder Brandon Moss and goalkeeper Andrew Webber say they want to see the team repeat as conference champions and advance further in the NCAA postseason tournament.
"Last year we made it to the second round," Moss said. "Maybe this year we can get to the Sweet 16 or the even the championship game."
Moss will be starting the year differently than any other Lobo player. He received a red card in the final game last season and because of this will have to sit out the first game as part of his punishment.
All of the players including Moss are ready to go. Most of them have been playing on club teams during the summer to keep their games in shape.
Currently, the players are regrouping at the team's youth camp taking place this week.
"It's a good way for us to get back together and help out the community," Moss said.
Practice begins for the Lobos on Aug. 13 and the first game will be played Aug. 29 when UNM travels to the University of Wisconsin to take on the Badgers.
