After winning two games at home this weekend, the UNM men's soccer team's hope of getting an NCAA tournament bid is still alive - for now.
Finishing the season at 11-6-2, the Lobos will find out in today's selection show if they will make the tournament.
But the Lobos helped themselves with wins over Air Force and Denver, giving them the possibility of getting one of the 26 at-large bids still up for grabs.
In past years, the Lobos didn't have to rely on an at-large bid to get to the NCAA tournament - UNM has won the Mountain West Sports Federation title four years in a row.
No. 25 Denver took the title this year, securing its spot in the tournament.
The Lobos needed two wins, and that is exactly what they got. The Lobos sealed their first victory Friday with a 4-1 shoot-out over Air Force.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The second match proved to be more of a challenge. UNM crept to a 1-0 victory over the Denver Pioneers on a late penalty kick.
The Pioneers went into the game boasting a 10-5-2 record, going 8-0-1 in the MPSF.
But the Lobos started the game strong, putting up three shots on goal in the first 10 minutes.
"We started off really well," UNM defender Simon Ejdemyr said. "We pressured them, and that created some chances. We moved the ball quickly. I think the first 25 minutes were very good."
Before the half was over, the Lobos put up three more shots on goal. Still, none of them could find the back of the net.
With the game scoreless after the first half, the Lobos entered the break knowing their offense could create opportunities. UNM outshot Denver 9-3 during the first 45 minutes.
"I think if you are not creating those chances, you are not even going to get an opportunity to score," forward Chris Wright said. "It is good because if you don't shoot, you can't score. You never know what can happen. Rebounds are funny; a lot of times it can go your way."
After some back-and-forth offense, Ejdemyr was awarded a penalty kick in the 67th minute. Ejdemyr made the most of it, banging home the Lobos' single point and putting them up 1-0.
"I was just thinking that I better not miss this," Ejdemyr said. "It is a pretty crucial situation. I did it for the team, and it went in, so I was happy."
Ejdemyr's kick was set up by Wright. While Wright was fighting for a position inside the box, a Pioneer player wrestled him down.
"It was a great run and a great position," Wright said. "I knew I had a guy on my back. He had my jersey - pulling me down from the throat. As soon as the ball was hit towards me, I knew I wasn't going to be able to turn around and get it on the frame. So, I thought just let him foul me and get the PK. You always want to make the referee's decision clear, and in my mind, it was."
UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said it is unnerving to know that your fate rests in someone else's hands.
"Unfortunately, our future is dependent on some other people," he said.
