by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
In his first full season as a starter, he set the UNM record for shutouts in a single season for the men's soccer team.
However, goalkeeper Mike Graczyk is much more likely to give recognition to everyone else around him.
"For my first year, I couldn't have had a better supporting cast in front of me," Graczyk said. "Those shutouts, I get credited for them, but it's my defense really. It was definitely a great position for me to be in last year. I couldn't have asked for a better one."
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There is no denying that Graczyk played a big part in last year's team that went 18-2-3 in the regular season and advanced to the finals of the College Cup.
Head coach Jeremy Fishbein said Graczyk took full advantage of the talented defensive players he had on the team last year.
"Mike did an incredible job for us," Fishbein said. "He had a great defense around him. Give Mike some credit - he's playing great this year as well."
In the first three games of the season, Graczyk and the UNM defense got off to a solid start, allowing just one goal and recording two shutouts.
Graczyk said the defense has been clicking all season.
"We've got a pretty good connection back there," he said. "I think with guys like Andy (Boyens) back there, he's great at organizing stuff back there as well as Lars (Loeseth). The defensive leadership they have in the backfield helps a lot."
While he is quick to hand out credit for the success of the defense to his teammates, he also takes responsibility for being one of the leaders of the young team.
"You don't want to put too much pressure on yourself, but at the same time, it's a reality," Graczyk said. "It's one of those things that not only you yourself, but your team expects you to step up and take a leadership role."
Fishbein said Graczyk is a natural leader.
"Mike is a guy who leads by example," Fishbein said. "Academically, socially and on the field. We expect him to be a good role model."
Graczyk graduated from La Cueva High School in 2003, making the recent success of the men's soccer team that much more special, he said.
"You always dream of playing for one of those teams that makes it to the College Cup final, having your school name on there," Graczyk said. "Being able to go to North Carolina last year and walk on the field and see New Mexico on there, to see that I did it with New Mexico, I think is incredible. It was a dream come true."
Because Graczyk is a junior, he has a couple more seasons left to build on that success.
"I'm excited to see what we're capable of in the future," Graczyk said.
Fishbein said Graczyk is going to be a big part of what the Lobos are capable of doing.
"Mike's a quality goalkeeper, and he's going to win us some games this year," Fishbein said. "There's no question about it."
