by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
Despite losing two exhibition matches over the weekend, the UNM men's soccer team isn't too concerned heading into the regular season.
Maybe it's because the losses came on the road against two of the most elite teams in the nation. Or maybe the Lobos didn't feel like they were outplayed all that much in the contests.
"Obviously, we're disappointed to come out of the weekend with two losses," goalkeeper Mike Graczyk said. "But we got a lot out of both games. We actually played well for 80 of the 90 minutes, and those 10 minutes cost us. I think we had more than enough chances."
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No. 10 UNM lost 3-0 against No. 11 Notre Dame on Thursday, with two of the goals scored in the final five minutes.
Saturday against No. 8 Indiana, the Lobo offense once again struggled and fell 1-0 to the Hoosiers.
Even though UNM was held scoreless in both games, head coach Jeremy Fishbein said the team improved over the weekend.
"We played a lot better on Saturday compared to Thursday," he said. "It was a tough game to play. We were coming off a game with one day rest and facing a top-five team in the country that was well rested. They scored a great goal, but I thought we dominated a majority of the game."
The game against Indiana was a slow start offensively for both teams. Neither squad got a shot off in the first 15 minutes.
The Hoosiers' Kevin Noschang provided the only score of the game in the 23rd minute. Indiana outshot UNM 6-3 in the first half.
The Lobos got more scoring opportunities in the second half, with six shots and three corner kicks, but were unable to capitalize.
Even though UNM ended the weekend scoreless, Graczyk said he is confident things will be different in the regular season.
"I think it's very early, and the point is to get a lot of rotation in there so you don't get too much chemistry in the exhibition games," he said. "I think we have the players to be great offensively. I think we will be once we have everything set."
Fishbein said he is not concerned about the team's lack of offense on the weekend.
"I'm confident that we've got some real good attacking players," he said. "We just need to figure out where to put the players and get everyone healthy. We should be able to do that this week, and we'll be ready for the season offensively."
Graczyk said playing against Notre Dame and Indiana on the road should strengthen the Lobos' mentality for the regular season.
He said the younger players on the team will be better prepared for big-name opponents the rest of the way.
"I think we're still actually really confident," he said. "I think we're definitely poised to have a good year."
Men's soccer at Akron
Friday, 5 p.m.
Akron, Ohio
