This weekend at the Grange & Ashwill Memorial Invitational, New Mexico Men’s Soccer played host to two nationally ranked teams in University of San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. While the results weren’t exactly what the Lobos were looking for, the Lobos got results in both games, going 1-0-1 on the weekend. That will be key later in the season for seeding in the NCAA Tournament, so the Lobos can feel like that had a good weekend. And they almost had themselves a great weekend, especially given that they were without the services of defender Yuri Dominciano, who has yet to play this year, and forward Sam Gleadle, who was out of action this weekend. Thankfully, both players should also be a go this weekend’s trip to California.
USD Game: Against the Toreros, New Mexico fell behind 1-0 in the first half and struggled to find any operating room on the offensive side of the field once USD packed it in. USD was able to hold off the Lobos attack until a foul right outside the 18 yard box allowed Chris Wehan to take a free kick. USD had no chance on the great shot by Wehan and his goal tied the game 1-1. At this point, USD had to decide if they wanted to continue to pack it in for the tie or try to open things up to score. Unfortunately for them, they didn’t have much time to think about it, as Wehan got free and found the back of the net again just four minutes later. That goal made it look like the Lobos were going to go on to win the game 2-1, but in the 82nd minute USD found the equalizer on a great header by Keegan Smith. Neither team was able to find the back of the net during overtime, which led to a disappointing tie for the Lobos considering the circumstances.
UCSB Game: This was a game where the sides played on pretty even terms most of the game, although with the Lobos having more, and better, scoring chances. Dispite that, the Lobos found themselves down 1-0 in the 23rd minute from a brilliant strike from about 25 yards out by UCSB forward Ahinga Selemani, a shot that goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu had no chance of saving. New Mexico had a few great chances, but couldn’t find the equalizer for the next 42 minutes of action. That changed when Josh Goss found Chris Wehan in the box in the 66th minute and Wehan found the upper left corner of the net to tie the game. It looked like the Lobos were going to have a chance at a penalty kick just before the 80th minute, but the ref didn’t award the foul and the Lobos had to find the winner outright. Wehan had a chance for the winner on a free kick from about 25 yards out in the 83rd minute, but he just missed wide. This game had the feeling that it was going to go to overtime, but a hustle play in the 87th minute by Matt Dorsey led to a Lobos chance. Dorsey was able to get the ball the Wehan who was able to slip the game winner past the goalkeeper and send Lobo Nation into a frenzy. The Lobos were able to close out the game without giving UCSB a real scoring chance in the last couple of minutes, and it was celebration time for Lobo Nation with the players and fans celebrating together.
Player of the Week: In what will probably be the easiest call of the season, it goes to Chris Wehan, who scored all four goals for the Lobos this weekend with two goals in each game. For his play, Wehan was awarded MVP of the Grange & Ashwill Memorial Tournament, as well as being named the Offensive MVP. Wehan has already been named National Player of the Week by College Soccer News, and I expect him to be named National Player of the Week by Top Drawer Soccer on Tuesday. Wehan had an exceptional week and expect him to continue playing at this high level.
Freshman of the Week: The freshman that impressed me the most this weekend was Matt Dorsey. Dorsey didn’t score this weekend but he was able to create chances for Wehan and Niko Hansen by applying pressure to the other teams’ backlines. I really like the energy that he showed this weekend and, because of that energy, he was able to win the ball that led to Wehan’s game winner last night.
Things to watch: Having Wehan score all four goals this week was exciting to watch and the Lobos certainly need Wehan to score a lot of goals this year if they are going to reach their ceiling. With that being said, the Lobos need another goal scorer or two to step up and help the offensive attack. If Hansen or someone else is able to become a reliable finisher, it will take some of the pressure off of Wehan and make the opposition have to think about having to stop another player on the Lobos.