After extended overtime and seven penalty shots, the season is over for the men’s soccer team.
The Lobos lost 6-5 in a penalty kick shootout against the University of South Florida on Sunday in the third round of the NCAA tournament.
Redshirt freshman Carson Baldinger had his sudden-death penalty kick saved by USF’s goalie in the seventh round of the shootout.
The game was scoreless after regulation and extra time, but both teams had chances to win the game before it went to penalty kicks.
USF dominated the first 70 minutes of the game as the Lobos’ defense was put under constant pressure. USF outshot the Lobos 5-2 in the first half.
The Bulls would have been winning at half, but junior Lobo goalkeeper Victor Rodriguez had a save off a shot at point-blank range, from USF’s Dom Dwyer.
As the second half was ending, the Lobos began to dominate and push forward for the game-winning goal.
Freshman midfielder Giovanni Rollie had a shot go just wide in the 70th minute.
Junior forward Devon Sandoval had arguably the best chance to score for UNM with 10 minutes left. Freshman forward James Rogers stole the ball off USF’s defense, and passed Sandoval the ball 12 yards from goal, but Sandoval shot right at the keeper.
With two minutes left in regulation, Dwyer attempted a scissor kick volley, but failed to get his shot on target.
The Lobos dominated both extra times as they pushed forward for a golden goal to keep the game from penalty kicks.
Rogers and Sandoval each had chances to score but again failed to get their shots on target.
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Rogers had the best chance to score in the second extra time, when senior midfielder Lance Rozeboom played him in with just the goalie to beat, but shot just wide of the far post.
UNM went to penalty kicks three weeks ago against Cal State Bakersfield, and Rodriguez saved three spot kicks on the way to its win.
Rodriguez was not so lucky this time, as he only saved the third penalty kick from USF.
With a chance to go up 3-2 after three kicks, junior midfielder Blake Smith’s low shot to the right was saved.
Rozeboom, senior midfielder Michael Green, Sandoval and senior defender Kyle Venter all made their penalty kicks.
The score was tied 4-4 after the first five spot kicks, and the shootout went to sudden death.
Both teams made their sixth kicks. With the game on the line, Baldinger stepped up for the seventh kick but his shot was saved and ended the Lobos’ season.
After the final whistle Rodriguez and Rogers were issued red cards. Rodriguez got one for fighting and Rogers for referee assault and violent conduct.
The game officially goes down as a tie, which leaves the Lobos with an undefeated season at 18-0-4.
