by Vanessa Strobbe
Daily Lobo
Double overtime, 110 minutes and still no score.
The No. 3 UNM men's soccer team settled for a scoreless draw with the University of Portland Pilots on Saturday at Merlo Field in Portland, Ore.
The Lobos opened on the road for the ninth-straight year, going 7-1 in the previous eight season openers. Head coach Jeremy Fishbein said the tie had nothing to do with first-game jitters.
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"We played a very good team in a tough atmosphere with a big, hostile crowd," he said. "They were quality opponents, and we didn't play to our ability."
After going 18-2-3 and reaching the finals of the College Cup last year, the Lobos were unable to capitalize on their nine attempted shots against a Pilots squad that went 6-11-2 last season.
In front of about 3,000 fans, both teams combined for only five shots in the first half. Two of the Pilots' shots hit the back of the UNM net but were called off because of offside penalties on both plays.
UNM managed three shots in the second half before the game went to overtime. The Pilots then fired four shots at junior goalkeeper Mike Graczyk, who made six saves in the contest.
Andrew Boyens, Brandon Barklage and P.J. Wilson each recorded two shots for the game. Neither team's offense was much of a threat in the second overtime, leaving the game in a tie after 110 minutes.
"We're accustomed to winning, so a tie leaves us with sour tastes in our mouths," Fishbein said. "I'm not thrilled with how we played, and I'm not happy with the result, but the game was a positive learning experience."
Many players on UNM's young squad saw the field for the first time Saturday. At one point in the game, seven of the 11 players on the field were freshmen, Fishbein said.
Graczyk said the game was a learning experience for the younger players and a lesson the whole team needed to learn.
"It was a great experience for the younger guys to play," Graczyk said. "At the same time, the game shows that we can't take any team for granted. We have to play our best to win every game."
Fishbein said the Lobos' high rank and reputation makes opposing teams play harder against them.
"The thing we have to understand is that we're a big game for everybody," Fishbein said. "We're going to see people at their best when they play us."
The Lobos' on-the-road effort continues next week against Michigan State at 3 p.m. Friday and against Michigan at 10 a.m. Sunday.
Fishbein said the team will spend the week correcting mistakes and prepping for the upcoming matches.
"We have a game under our belt now," he said. "Our program has high goals, and we definitely have room to get better. We'll be sure to be more prepared."
