Former Lobo killed in 3-way car crash

The UNM men’s soccer team was struck by tragic news at the end of last week.
Former Lobo soccer player Benjamin Ashwill, 26, died in a three-way car crash Thursday near Santa Rosa, N.M.

Ashwill, a graduate of Sandia High School, was a three-time all-state performer and helped the Matadors earn a No. 1 national ranking and a state semifinal appearance.
Ashwill was named District Player of the Year twice in 2000 and 2001 and was a member of the All-Rocky Mountain Region Team in 2001.

He played at UNM from 2002-05 and was a key contributor in the Lobos’ run to the NCAA Men’s Division I Soccer Championship Game, where they eventually lost to Maryland, 1-0.

Robbie C’de Baca, first met Ashwill while playing club soccer for the successful Albuquerque club team, Classic FC Bandidos.

Baca, who became Ashwill’s good friend and played with him for nearly 10 years, said Ashwill will be sorely missed.

“I think his name speaks for itself as far as soccer goes,” Baca said. “When people hear ‘Ben Ashwill,’ you know he was well known as a soccer player in the Albuquerque area. He was very compassionate on the field as well as off the field — probably one of the smartest and greatest competitors I knew.”

Ashwill graduated from UNM in 2006, and during his Lobo career scored 19 goals and had nine assists for 47 career points in 83 games. He started 70 of 83 games.
UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said he was devastated when he first heard the news about Ashwill’s death.

“He was one of the best players we ever had (at UNM),” he said. “(He) was asked to play several different positions, and he made the adjustments. But most importantly, he was a great teammate. Ben always put team goals first, and I think that’s a real rare quality that he had. And that was his unselfishness.”

During his career at UNM, Ashwill played forward and defender positions and was a four-time all-Mountain Sports Federation selection. He was the only three-time Academic All-American athlete in UNM history until 2009. He graduated with a 3.8 GPA in Business Management.

Fishbein said the UNM and Albuquerque communities need to celebrate Ashwill’s life and legacy.

“It’s just a tragic thing for somebody so young and vibrant to not be around,” he said. “It’s hard, really, to comment on, and everybody feels a little bit differently. Let’s focus on all the positives, fond memories and all the joy he brought to so many different people. Like I said, that’s all you can really focus on right now.”