by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
In his first two years as a UNM men's soccer player, Mike Porter spent a lot more time watching than playing.
But in his sophomore season, Porter helped anchor a Lobo defense that is one of the most elite in the nation and helped UNM advance to the NCAA Tournament.
After redshirting in 2004 and playing a total of 37 minutes in 2005, Porter said he was anxious to have a bigger role this season.
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"My expectations for this year were just to start and play a major role for the team," he said. "I've been ready for it the past two years. Now, I think I've adapted to the role pretty well."
Porter, a native of Las Cruces, has started all season for the No. 8 Lobos, playing a combination of midfielder and defender.
He has been a major part of a defense that recorded 11 shutouts in 18 games, en route to a 13-3-3 record.
Porter said the defense has confidence that it can shut down any opponent it faces.
"I think the defense goes into every game with the mentality that no one's going to get behind us, and no one's going to score on us," he said. "As long as we don't allow a goal, then we've done our job."
Although Porter won't light up the stat sheet, because he spends a lot of time on the backline, he gets satisfaction just from winning, he said.
And while the Lobos did earn an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament by winning the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation on Sunday, UNM did not play its best the entire season, especially at the beginning of the year, Porter said.
He said the Lobos are confident they can play with any other team despite losing multiple players from the squad that advanced to the College Cup final in 2005.
"We're not surprised," Porter said. "If anything, we're a little disappointed with our record, because we felt that we shouldn't have lost a game this year. We're still happy to be where we're at, but I think we could have done a little bit better."
Still, Porter said he's excited to be a part of the NCAA Tournament after watching the team make its run to the finals last season.
Despite being ranked No. 8 in the nation, the Lobos did not get a top-16 seed in the tournament, meaning they will have to play on the road.
Last season, they hosted three tournament games at the UNM Soccer Complex.
Porter said a run deep into the tournament this season would be more special because the team would be traveling most of the time.
Regardless of how the Lobos finish in the tournament, Porter said he is just happy to be part of the rise of UNM soccer.
"As far as national powerhouses, New Mexico, on a youth level, is kind of looked down upon," Porter said. "So when you come into college, and all of a sudden your program is looked at as one of the best five in the country, it's definitely changed. And it's a pretty awesome feeling."
