A single match for a sole cause.
The UNM men’s soccer team will welcome back past greats this weekend in a benefit match to help former player, Pat Grange, who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Grange played for the Lobos for two years and scored two goals in the NCAA tournament as he led UNM to the Sweet 16 in 2004.
“It’s great to be a part of it, and it’s great to help somebody that’s part of the program,” head coach Jeremy Fishbein said. “It makes you realize the importance of family and friends, and when you’re on this team, you’re part of a family.”
The alumni game welcomes back nine players who took the team to the national title game in 2005, including Brandon Moss, Lance Watson, Jeff Rowland and Mike Graczyk.
Graczyk went on to play in Major League Soccer.
“I get to see a lot of faces that I haven’t seen for a while, and I am excited to see a real good game,” Fishbein said. “There are going to be some great players out there. The thing is you hope that teamwork,
fitness and match sharpness overcomes experience and past ability.”
Moss, who played with Grange and is now a Lobo assistant coach, said Grange’s diagnosis is a stark reminder about the fragility of life. He said bringing back the alumni game keeps former players connected to their alma mater.
“It’s the first time we have had an alumni game in the past couple of years,” Moss said. “Having this recent diagnosis with Pat, it just made sense to try and help him and inspire our alumni to come back and lean on each other to try and pull together a good weekend.”
The game promises to be an entertaining one, with youth and experience going head-to-head. The Lobos have had an impressive spring season with a 4-1-2 record and could cause problems for an alumni team packed full of stars.
Lobo Lance Rozeboom said UNM will have an advantage over the alumni because they’re younger.
“There are a few guys coming back that I want to play against,” he said. “They might have a lot of talent, but I’m not sure they will be able to stick with it as far as conditioning goes. But we know they are good, and we have a lot of respect for those guys.”
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Moss, however, said with age comes more wisdom.
“There is going to be a lot of pride and emotions this weekend from both teams,” he said. “A win for the alumni would make everything that much more special. I don’t know if it’s possible, but I will put the faith in the experience and not the youth.“
