The Lobos (7-4-0, 1-2-0) return to action on Saturday with a road match at FAU (3-6-1, 1-2-0). This is a very important match for the Lobos, as a win would keep them in the running to win the conference regular season title. If the Lobos are able to win this match and their match at Denver on Wednesday, a national seed in the NCAA Tournament is still very much in play with only one road match remaining before the conference tournament. The Lobos have more talent than FAU, but the Owls have played much better at home than on the road this season, so the Lobos can’t take them lightly. The Lobos need to put pressure on FAU early in the match and find a goal in the first 60 minutes to put all the pressure on FAU to find a goal.
FAU Stats:
| FAU | Opponents | |
| Goals | 8 (3 1st Half, 5 2nd Half) | 15 (5 1st Half, 10 2nd Half) |
| Goals Per Game | .80 | 1.50 |
| Shots On Goal | 37-95 (.389) | 52-121 (.430) |
| Shots Per Game | 9.5 | 12.1 |
| Assists | 7 | 8 |
| Corner Kicks | 36 | 51 |
- FAU has struggled in their offensive attack this season, taking only 9.5 shots a match and 3.8 shots on goal per match. If the Lobos can avoid a penalty kick, which has been a bit of an issue, I don’t know if FAU will be able to get a great chance to score in this match.
- FAU has used four goalies this season, but their best keeper is Phillip Hitpass, who has played in 8 matches with a .85 Goals Against Average.
Lobo Stats:
| New Mexico | Opponents | |
| Goals | 17 (5 1st Half, 12 2nd Half) | 7 (4 1st Half, 3 2nd Half) |
| Goals Per Game | 1.55 | .68 |
| Shots On Goal | 74-159 (.487) | 44-103 (.427) |
| Shots Per Game | 13.6 | 9.4 |
| Assists | 11 | 2 |
| Corner Kicks | 70 | 48 |
- The Lobos gave up 2 goals for the first time this season in their match against Charlotte but neither came in the field of play. That means that for the third time this season, the Lobos have lost a huge road match on penalty kick goals. The Lobos have been almost impossible to navigate through in the field of play, allowing only 3 non-penalty goals in 11 matches.
- Niko Hansen once again provided the offense for the Lobos, scoring his ninth goal of the season in the 2-1 loss at Charlotte. The FAU defense will try to stop Hansen, which should open chances up for other Lobos. Of course, at the level Hansen is playing, I don’t know if anyone can stop him.
Conference USA Standings
| Team | Conference Record | Conference Points | Overall Record |
| Charlotte | 3-1-0 | 9 | 8-2-0 |
| South Carolina | 2-0-1 | 7 | 7-3-1 |
| UAB | 2-1-1 | 7 | 6-4-3 |
| Kentucky | 2-2-0 | 6 | 7-3-2 |
| FIU | 1-2-1 | 4 | 3-6-2 |
| UNM | 1-2-0 | 3 | 7-4-0 |
| Marshall | 1-2-0 | 3 | 6-7-0 |
| FAU | 1-2-0 | 3 | 3-6-1 |
| ODU | 0-1-1 | 1 | 3-4-2 |
Match Prediction:
The Lobos are the favorites in the match, as they have more talent and a great defense that will make it nearly impossible for FAU to score. I really like the Lobos in the match, so I give them a 45% chance to win the match and 77% chance to come back home with at least a draw. I predict a 2-0 win with goals from Hansen and Chris Wehan.
Game Info:
Who: New Mexico Lobos (7-4-0, 1-2-0) at FAU Owls (3-6-1, 1-2-0)
When: Saturday, October 15, 2016, 5PM MT
Where: FAU Soccer Stadium, Boca Raton, Florida
Stream: conferenceusa.com (There is a fee)