by Steven Fernandez
Daily Lobo
It might have been an exhibition game, but the UNM men's soccer team's 3-0 loss to Notre Dame on Thursday proves there are kinks to work out before the regular season.
And even though the players were unhappy with the outcome, the game can be used as a lesson for the Lobos, head coach Jeremy Fishbein said during a phone interview.
"It's not as bad as it seems," he said. "We made some mistakes that never happen. That's why you play exhibition games. It's humbling, and it's a reality check -- that there's an element of luck involved in soccer."
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Last season, UNM was one of the most elite defenses in the nation. Including the playoffs, the Lobos allowed more than one goal in only three games, and three goals just once.
But Notre Dame got off to a quick start Thursday in Forte Wayne, Ind., when Kurt Martin scored from 25 feet outside against UNM goalkeeper Mike Graczyk in the sixth minute.
Graczyk recorded 11 shutouts in 2006, but Martin's shot slipped through his hands.
Fishbein said it was a routine stop his goalkeeper will make every time in the near future.
Until the end of the game, it remained a close contest. But Notre Dame added two more goals in the final five minutes after UNM failed to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
Even though the last two scores came when the starting Lobo squad wasn't on the field, there were still mistakes that need to be corrected, Fishbein said.
"The three goals were goals you don't want to have scored against you," he said. "The concern is why didn't we score goals -- why were there a few mental lapses?"
Still, Fishbein said he isn't too concerned with the outcome of the exhibition. He said he was able to get some inexperienced players on the field against a big-name school. Notre Dame is ranked No. 11 in the nation. UNM is ranked No. 10.
Fishbein said some of the players were impressive while others made errors.
But just getting the team on the field in a competitive atmosphere was a plus.
"It's never fun to lose, but the goal for this weekend is to evaluate players and to put ourselves in difficult situations so that when we're in a similar situation, we're prepared," Fishbein said. "It's good to be taken out of your comfort zone."
And it doesn't get any easier for the Lobos. They wrap up their exhibition matches Saturday against No. 8 Indiana.
Fishbein said playing such tough competition in the preseason should pay off.
"That was the purpose for coming here," he said. "You're coming on their home turf. By no means are you happy to lose, but I think it's a good experience."
