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Saturday, September 13, 2008

Women's Team Plays to 1-1 Tie

By Glen Rosales
For the Journal
       Zip.
    It's Akron's nickname, and it's what the New Mexico men's soccer team allowed its nationally ranked opponent Friday.
    Taking advantage of their quickness, the Lobos beat the No. 2 Zips 1-0 in front of an announced, season-high attendance of 2,709 at the UNM Soccer and Track Complex.
    Justin Davis capped a strong run by burying a rising shot from 30 yards out midway through the second half in New Mexico's first win over a top-five team since 2004.
    "We needed that one,â�� UNM coach Jeremy Fishbein said. "It was a great win. We felt if we played to our potential, we were going to win.â��
    It was a slugfest from the get-go, but one in which the Lobos (3-1-1) expected to prevail.
    "We were talking in the locker room that this wouldn't be an upset,â�� Davis said.
    "It was a pretty intense game,â�� said New Mexico midfielder Michael Reed.
    The game changed in an instant, thanks to an athletic play from Michael Green, who was making the first start of his career. He won the ball in the midfield and shook loose with some fancy footwork. He then threaded a pass between two Akron defenders, finding Davis, who was crashing through the middle. A touch put him into the clear, and he hammered a shot into the far corner.
    "I saw a little daylight, and he played a great ball,â�� Davis said. "I was screaming his name the whole time. I was hoping he would find me.â��
    Fishbein altered his lineup for the match, inserting Green into the midfield in place of Stephen Brown. New Mexico also benefited from the return from injury of bruising defender Simon Ejdemyr.
    "We wanted to get a little more physical,â�� Fishbein said. "And Mike deserved to get the start. And J.D. (Davis) showed a lot of maturity. We needed him to hold down that side, and he did. (Ryan) Farquharson was probably the MVP. That No. 11 (Akron's Steve Zakuani) is a great athlete, but Farquharson is just as good.â��.
    The final minutes were not without excitement, as UNM goalie Eric Staver was forced to make two diving saves to preserve the advantage.
    "It was a great team effort,â�� Fishbein said. "Eric Staver had a great game. Now we just need to keep that level of play.â��
    WOMEN
    Although Wisconsin-Milwaukee entered Friday's game nationally ranked, it was the Lobos who looked the part.
    Unfortunately for UNM, that still didn't result in a win.
    New Mexico came away with a 1-1 tie after squandering several top-notch scoring chances in the extra sessions.
    Freshman Jennifer Williams, who put the Lobos (2-1-3) up in the third minute with a chip shot over Panthers goalie Erin Kane, created a number of good opportunities to score in the overtime periods. All of the ensuing shot attempts, however, sailed well over the net.
    "I'm not going to lie, I was a little nervous,â�� Williams said. "Especially with everybody being taller than me.â��
    Williams, who stands 5-foot-3, was still able to wreak havoc.
    "That's her bread and butter,â�� UNM coach Kit Vela said of her diminutive forward. "During high school and club, she'd bury those. Her score was world-class. But she's getting in there.â��
    The draw extends UNM's unbeaten streak to five.
    SOCCER
       

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