This past weekend, both soccer teams started their conference play and, unfortunately, didn’t get the results that they wanted. They’ll look to get back to their winning ways this weekend, with the women taking to the road and the men coming back home.

Women’s Soccer:

It was a disappointing weekend at home for the Lobos (4-4-2, 0-2-0), as they their first two home matches to open their Mountain West schedule. This already puts the Lobos in a difficult spot in the conference title race. I really liked the Lobos chances coming into this past weekend, but after dropping two home matches, I think 6-4-1 or 5-3-2 is realistic expectation, which would in all probability put the Lobos in around third place.

Thoughts and Trends:

• The road warriors need to bring their road magic this weekend in California. If they are able to get results in their matches against Fresno State and San Jose State, it would help make up for last weekend.
• Slow starts are becoming a concern for the Lobos. For example, in their 1-0 loss to Colorado College, they gave up a goal in the first 30 seconds. It worries me that this may continue this season, so it will be up to each player to find ways to start out well and put pressure on the opponents the whole match instead of having to play catchup from the get-go.
• If the Lobos want to be a championship-level team in the Mountain West, it will be important for them to score 2 or more goals a match. If they can do this, it would be hard for them not to get results in each match.
• Maddie Irwin and Claire Lynch have basically been the offense so far for the Lobos, each with 4 goals this season. The Lobos need another player or two to become another goal scorer if they’re going to become a very dangerous offensive team.

Player of the Week:

Week 6: Clair Lynch

Up Next:

The Lobos head to California to take on San Jose State on Friday, followed by Fresno State on Sunday. Last season, the Lobos lost at home to SJSU 2-1, beat FSU at home 5-1, and the then tied SJSU 1-1 in the semi-finals of the MW Tournament, before falling 3-2 in penalties.

Men’s Soccer:

The Lobos (5-3-0, 0-1-0) just missed an opportunity for a huge Conference USA road match at Kentucky, losing 1-0. Kentucky was able to score five minutes in and were able to find a way to get the shutout. The Lobos dominated the last 60 minutes of the match, but could only find the back of the net when the off-sides flag was up. While the loss was disappointing, it really doesn’t change much in terms of conference title race and national seed conversation. It is important for the Lobos to take care of Florida International this weekend, though, to stay in the regular season title hunt.

Thoughts and Trends:

• Lobos have lost 3 matches this season and all 3 by the score of 1-0. These are matches that can go either way, so hopefully these close loses will start turning into wins soon.
• Kentucky’s goal was the first goal the Lobo defense has allowed in live game action, and it was a special shot from one of Kentucky’s best players. The Lobos defense has been great so far, and I expect them to lower their .50 Goals Against Average in their match against FIU.
• Lobos simply have to find a way to score more goals. In their first 8 matches, the Lobos only have 9 goals with 6 coming from Niko Hansen. Simply put, a couple of Lobos need to break through the defense and beat the goalie consistently. To me it comes down to the group of Hansen, Chris Wehan, Luke Lawrence, Sam Gleadle and Devon Boyce to consistently find two goals a match.
• Something to keep an eye on as we hit the half way point of the season is yellow card accumulation, because in college soccer, 5 yellow cards mean a one-game suspension. The Lobos have one player that is on the watch list at this point: Aaron Herrera, with 3 yellow cards to his name this year. He can’t pick up any cheap cards, but he still needs to keep playing aggressively.
• I look for the Lobos to have an offensive explosion this weekend, so don’t be surprised if you see 3 or 4 goals in the match. You have to think that connecting in the final third has been a priority for the Lobos this week in practice, so hopefully that will help jumpstart the offense to help take some pressure away from the elite defense.

Player of the Week:

Week 5: Chris Gurule

Up Next:

Lobos will play host to FIU on Friday in their first Conference USA home match of the season. This is a must-win match – just as all of their home matches are – if they want to be in position to win the regular season conference title. I am hoping for a huge home crowd for this one, especially given that this is the first home match in a couple of weeks.