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The UNM Soccer Complex has been a safe haven for the men’s soccer team.
The last time the Lobos lost at home was Oct. 10, 2010 in a 3-2 defeat against Air Force.
UNM is on a 17-game home-unbeaten streak. Incidentally, the Lobos will attempt to tie the UNM home-unbeaten streak of 18 games versus conference opponent Air Force at the UNM Soccer Complex today.
If the Lobos defeat or tie the Falcons, they will have a shot at securing the home-unbeaten streak record when Denver University comes to Albuquerque on Sunday.
However, head coach Jeremy Fishbein said he wants to focus only on the next match.
“The records are nice over time, but we are in the situation in which we just have to focus on the upcoming match,” he said. “I’m excited to play.”
Senior midfielder Nik Robson said he agrees that the record would be eventful, but it is not one of the team’s priorities.
“It will say a lot about this era if we do beat the record,” he said. “But winning conference and getting into the Final Four are always more important than getting records.”
The Lobos (8-1-0, 1-0-0 MPSF) dropped down in the rankings this week to No. 5 in the NSCAA poll.
Senior forward Blake Smith said both the Falcons (4-5-1, 1-0-0) and the Denver Pioneers (5-2-2, 0-1-0) provide a spark to conference play.
“Air Force is always relentless, resilient, and they are trained to not let anything faze them,” Smith said. “You can tell by the way they play.”
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All three Falcons who scored in the 3-2 victory at UNM in 2010 (Caleb Downey, Kevin Durr, and Zane Dydasco) and their starting goalie (Matt Underwood) will be on the field today. However, Fishbein said these are two very different teams than the ones that squared off two years ago.
“We’re going to see their best so we have to be good,” Fishbein said. “We have to take care of our business, capitalize on chances, defend well, enjoy the environment, be confident and have fun with it.”
Lobo seniors Robson and Smith have been key components in the No. 12 scoring offense in the nation. Robson contributed a goal and an assist in the Lobos’ 2-1 win at Houston Baptist on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Smith has seven assists during this season, a record that is tied for No. 2 in the nation.
Fishbein said UNM has the talent to be better offensively
“We want to be No. 1,” he said. “We have to score more goals. We have great offensive players.”
