assistantsports@dailylobo.com
@JROppenheim
For the first time this season, the New Mexico men’s soccer team scored a goal off a corner kick.
That goal came from senior defender Kyle Venter, his first of the season.
It resulted in the Lobos’ first Conference USA soccer regular-season title in the team’s league debut.
UNM locked up the No. 1 seed in this week’s C-USA tournament in Charlotte, N.C. following Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Kentucky.
The win in the regular-season finale guaranteed the crown for the Lobos over second-place Old Dominion, who defeated South Carolina 2-1 just moments before the Lobos prevailed.
“It’s what we set out for,” Venter said. “I thought it was a real mature performance. I just can’t wait to get out there next week. We did ourselves a favor getting a bye and get ourselves a better position next week.”
The Lobos (11-4-2, 7-1-1 C-USA) tried 106 corner kicks prior to Saturday’s game, but they hadn’t converted any of those set pieces into goals until the 61st minute against Kentucky.
Senior midfielder Michael Calderon, who normally handles the inbound duties on corners, sent the ball in from the northeast corner on a cross toward Venter. From the middle of the box, Venter got his head on the ball and forced it past Wildcat goalkeeper Callum Irving.
“It’s been unbelievably bad luck, and we’re pretty good at them,” UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein said, referring to the corner kicks. “Hopefully that’s a sign of good things to come.”
UNM sophomore midfielder Ben McKendry added an insurance goal 15 minutes later, taking a long sideline pass from junior forward James Rogers.
The Lobo defense clamped down on Kentucky, preventing the Wildcats from taking any shots. UNM fired 11 shots, including five shots on goal and three saved by Irving.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
“There was a lot of emotion out there today; there was a lot at stake,” Fishbein said. “We were real disciplined. It was good win, man.”
Saturday’s game marked the final regular-season contest for four seniors: Venter, Calderon, midfielder Michael Kafari and goalkeeper Michael Lisch.
SDSU claims Mountain West women’s crown
Earlier in the day, San Diego State earned a 1-0 win over Boise State to capture the Mountain West Conference women’s tournament championship at the UNM Soccer Complex.
The victory secured an automatic berth to the NCAA College Cup.
SDSU’s Hannah Keane tallied the game’s only goal at the 70th minute, benefitting from an assist from defender Haley Palmer.
Keane earned the tournament’s MVP award as well.
