by Riley Bauling
Daily Lobo
Michael Reed was the New Mexico State High School Player of the Year, but that doesn't mean he's not nervous about starting his college soccer career next fall.
Reed was one of three All-Americans in the eight recruits that UNM men's soccer head coach Jeremy Fishbein said he has received a commitment from Wednesday.
But Reed said he knows college soccer is a different game than he's played before.
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"It's really exciting, but I'm a little nervous," Reed said. "It's just the expectation they have and that type of stuff makes you a little nervous."
Fishbein's expectations are high for the Sandia High School senior.
"Michael's a great player," Fishbein said. "The special thing about Michael is that he's a simple player, and Michael is going to become such a better player playing with great players."
The weight on Reed and the rest of the recruits' shoulders is heavy, considering the Lobos lost seven starters from a team that made it to the finals of the NCAA Tournament last year before losing to Maryland 1-0.
But Fishbein sees no reason to worry.
"We feel, at least on paper, that this is the most talented group we've ever brought in," Fishbein said. "I think it's one of the five best classes in the country."
And that's a bold statement, being that last season's seniors featured a group that won three Mountain Pacific Sports Federation titles and had three NCAA Tournament appearances in four years. Prior to those seniors' appearance, UNM hadn't won a regular-season conference title or made it to the NCAA Tournament.
The incoming class will get a chance to try its hand right away in duplicating the Lobos' success last year - more out of necessity than anything, Fishbein said.
"Some of the guys are going to play. They're going to have to come in and play," he said.
What makes this class special is that it was solidified even before the Lobos' run through the NCAA Tournament. The ripple effect from last year's season won't be felt for another year.
"All of these guys were committed over the summer," Fishbein said. "We won't see the benefits of having a successful season until next year."
With the holes next fall's freshmen are needed to fill, Fishbein said forget about top five; this class could be No. 1.
"For us, for our needs, it may be the best class in the country," Fishbein said. "We got the guys we wanted."
