Outplaying and outscoring opponents are two different things for the UNM men’s soccer team.
Even though they outshot Cal-State Bakersfield 21-6, the Lobos failed to find the back of the net and ended Sunday’s game in a 0-0 tie in double overtime at the UNM Soccer Complex.
“It sucks,” junior Michael Green said. “It just shows that we are better than our opponents and dominating games, but that’s soccer sometimes.”
UNM outshot the Roadrunners 7-0 in the first half. Midfielder Blake Smith had two opportunities to give the Lobos the lead, but CSU-Bakersfield goalkeeper Eric Shannon came up with saves, two of his 10 for the day.
“We just need a little bit more quality in our attack,” head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “That final ball needs to be better and put our opportunities away.”
Midfielder Lance Rozeboom couldn’t capitalize on a second half opportunity, and UNM almost gave up a goal to Roadrunner midfielder Jesus Sanchez. He nearly scored on a free kick that sailed wide of the post. In the last minute of regulation, Sanchez missed another shot.
Defender Michael Reed said the Lobos can’t continue to have scoreless affairs.
“We were a little bit unlucky,” he said. “We got a shutout, and we have been taking pride in our defense, and that’s a big step for us. It’s not a bad thing that we tied, but it could have been better.”
In overtime, UNM forward Devon Sandoval hit a good-looking header, but Shannon came up with another big save.
With the time ticking down in the second overtime, Green appeared to sneak past Shannon, but his volley from inside the box was saved and the game finished scoreless.
“Looking at the statistics, it was about as one-sided of a game that you can have,” Fishbein said. “We have been outplaying our opponents, and we need to just keep our heads high and focus on the next game.”
