by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
After last weekend's road split, the UNM men's soccer team needs to close out the conference schedule with a bang in order to advance to the postseason.
The No. 17 Lobos (6-3-2) are 1-1 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation after a loss at Denver last Friday and a win at Air Force on Sunday.
Now, the Lobos welcome San Jose State to the UNM Soccer Complex for their conference opener on Friday.
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UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said the team needs to be at the top of its game against the Spartans.
"They always play us hard, with a lot of pride," he said. "We just got to go out there and be prepared and finish our chances. Hopefully, we create early chances and put some away."
Last season, San Jose State was one of the toughest foes UNM had in the conference. The Spartans finished second in the MPSF in 2005 with a 7-2-1 conference record. And while their overall record, 4-4-1, is mediocre, they jumped out to a 1-0 MPSF record with a win over
Sacramento State last weekend.
In 2005, San Jose State finished 11-5-3 overall. Part of the reason for the Spartans' struggles may be that they lost six starters from last season.
Still, UNM goalkeeper Mike Graczyk said the Spartans will present a tough challenge.
"Every year, San Jose State gives us a huge battle," he said. "They're always a quality team. It's always kind of an emotional game against them, so hopefully we can just come out with a victory and focus on Sunday."
After playing San Jose State on Friday, the Lobos will host Sacramento State on Sunday. The Hornets are 3-7-0 overall and 0-1 in the conference after the loss to San Jose State.
While the team is focused on Friday's game, it realizes the importance of winning both games, midfielder and forward Jack Smithson said.
"I don't think that we can drop another game here for the rest of the season, and we shouldn't," he said. "I think we're better than the teams we're going to play, but on the offensive end, we need to just start finishing, because the defense is taking care of business."
The defense has carried the team for much of the season, keeping the Lobos in just about every game.
When the offense is able to score, like in Sunday's 3-1 victory against Air Force, the goals have come from an assortment of
players.
Fishbein said he doesn't mind that one player hasn't stepped up to carry the offensive load on his shoulders.
"It's good that we're getting some balanced scoring, as long as we're scoring," he said. "I don't think we care who scores, as long as we get a couple every game."
Men's soccer vs. San Jose State
Friday, 7 p.m.
UNM Soccer Complex
vs. Sacramento State
Sunday, 1 p.m.
UNM Soccer Complex
