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10/21_soccer

Midfielder Christopher Wehan, 14, jumps in celebration with midfielder Ben McKendry, 6, after making a goal at the UNM Soccer Complex on Saturday. The Lobos defeated Florida Atlantic 2-0 and now remain the only undefeated team in league play with the second-best overall among Conference USA teams.

Men maintain win streak

assistantsports@dailylobo.com
@JROppenheim

Propelled by goals from Christopher Wehan and Riley McGovern on Saturday, the New Mexico men’s soccer team continues to lead the Conference USA standings.

Wehan and McGovern each scored their second goals of the year in the Lobos’ 2-0 victory over Florida Atlantic. The Lobos (8-3-2, 4-0-1 C-USA) are riding their first three-game win streak of the season as Saturday’s game marked the midway point in their conference schedule.

UNM remains the only undefeated team in league play and has the second-best overall win percentage among C-USA teams.

“We’re definitely feeling more confidence since conference began,” sophomore midfielder Ben McKendry said. “We’ve just tried to stay positive throughout the whole season, and we know we’re a good team. We know the results are going to come so we just have to stay patient.”

For the seventh time this season, UNM and an opponent played a scoreless first half; only four times in 13 games had UNM held a lead through the first 45 minutes. However, UNM has outscored its opponents 14-6 in the second half and in overtime periods.

That happened Saturday as well. The Lobos played another scoreless first half despite holding a 9-3 shot advantage, firing five shots on goal and attempting six corner kicks. FAU did not have a shot-on-goal or a corner kick after halftime.

Wehan, a redshirt freshman midfielder, recorded the game’s opening goal for the second straight time at the 56:30 minute mark. UNM junior forward James Rogers took a shot-on-goal at Owls goalkeeper Theo Jamilloux, and Wehan collected the rebound and scored from point-blank range.

The play gave Rogers his fourth assist on the season, taking sole possession of the team lead in that category.

Junior defender Matthew Gibbons cracked into the statistic sheet for assists for the first time this year on McGovern’s score. Gibbons sent a high crossing pass from the far post to McGovern, which he converted at the 74:35 mark.

FAU played a compact game on its defensive end through the first half, McKendry said, making it difficult for UNM to find passing lanes. UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said his players eventually wore FAU down.

“We had a lot on the ball they had to chase,” Fishbein said. “More opportunities opened up, but we had good ones in the first half. There’s not an excuse for that. We’ve got to take our chances early and get teams coming out and having to play against us.”

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The Lobos maintained their offensive pressure throughout the game, taking 16 total shots and limiting the Owls to five. UNM senior goalkeeper Michael Lisch stopped FAU’s only shot on goal, taken by Daniel Montoya. Jamilloux finished with seven saves.

Even though UNM holds on to first place in the standings, Fishbein said the Lobos must be careful and not stray away from their one-game-at-a-time mentality. That places their focus on next Saturday’s road trip to South Carolina.

“We’ve got to put all our focus on our next game,” he said. “We have to be good at home, which we’ve been in conference play and enjoy this week and be excited for the next one.”

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