The Lobos (4-2-0, 0-0-0) will be the final team in Conference USA to start conference play this season when they host #13 Kentucky (4-1-1, 1-0-0) Saturday night at the UNM Soccer Complex. After winning their last four matches while outscoring opponents 11-3, the Lobos look to have found their passing and attacking game, and it couldn’t come at a better time. This will be one of the most important games in conference play this year, as both sides figure to be in the conference title race. Over the past three years, the two teams have played four matches, with UK holding a 3-0-1 advantage. However, that record is a little misleading, given that each of the three wins were 1-0 matches. Look for the trend of low-scoring games in this matchup to continue, as both teams are defensive-minded sides.
#13 Kentucky:
The Wildcats have become one of the best defensive teams in men’s college soccer, allowing 16,13, and 16 goals the last three full seasons. Things look to be the same this year, as they have allowed 4 goals in their first 6 matches. With two defensive-minded teams, we will most likely see a 0-0 or 1-0 match. But, as we saw last year in the CUSA Tournament match, things could open up with an early goal and lead to a 2-2 match. Kentucky really doesn’t rely on one goal scorer and playmaker, so there isn’t one particular player that you have to stop. The key for the Lobos in the match is not to make any mistakes that give Kentucky great scoring chances.
| Kentucky | Opponents | |
| Goals | 7 | 4 |
| Goals Per Match | 1.17 | .67 |
| Shots/Shots on Goal | 68/36 | 59/24 |
| Shots Per Match | 11.3 | 9.8 |
| Assists | 6 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 38 | 29 |
| Fouls | 60 | 71 |
| Yellow Cards/Red Cards | 4/1 (Coach) | 5/1 |
| Goals Against Average | .62 | 1.08 |
| Saves | 20 | 29 |
| Shutouts | 3 | 1 |
- Kentucky has three players that have scored 2 goals apiece, and just one other player with a single goal.
- Kentucky has six different players with 1 assist.
- Kentucky will be without their head coach in the match after he picked up a red card in their match on Tuesday.
- Kentucky is coming off their first home lost in nearly 2 years, so expect them to play with an edge in this match.
Lobo Stats:
| Lobos | Opponents | |
| Goals | 12 (6 first half, 6 second half) | 6 (3 first half, 3 second half) |
| Goals Per Match | 2.0 | 1.0 |
| Shots/Shots on Goal | 73/34 | 65/30 |
| Shots Per Match | 11.2 | 10.8 |
| Assists | 10 | 4 |
| Corner Kicks | 28 | 23 |
| Fouls | 64 | 58 |
| Yellow Cards/ Red Cards | 11/1 (Coaches) | 8/2 |
| Goals Against Average | 1.0 | 2.0 |
| Saves | 23 | 22 |
| Shutouts | 1 | 1 |
- Antoine Vial leads the Lobos with 3 goals on the season, and he has done so in 127 minutes of action.
- Lobos have had eight players score a goal this season.
- Lobos have had six players assist on a goal this season.
- Aaron Herrera and Devin Boyce lead the team in assists with 3 apiece.
- Since the lineup change four matches ago, the Lobos have seen a huge uptick in offensive production, and the results have followed.
- Coach Fishbein will not be coaching after receiving a red card in the match against UC Irvine, so Coach Graczyk will be in charge of the Lobos tonight.
- In conference play this year, the Lobos will host Kentucky, FAU, UAB and Charlotte and will play at South Carolina, Marshall, FIU and ODU. The conference tournament will be played at ODU this season.
Conference USA Standings:
| Conference | Conference Points | Overall Record | |
| FIU | 1-0-0 | 3 | 3-0-2 |
| UK | 1-0-0 | 3 | 4-1-1 |
| ODU | 1-0-0 | 3 | 3-1-2 |
| Charlotte | 1-0-0 | 3 | 2-1-1 |
| FAU | 1-1-0 | 3 | 1-4-0 |
| UNM | 0-0-0 | 0 | 4-2-0 |
| Marshall | 0-1-0 | 0 | 4-2-0 |
| South Carolina | 0-1-0 | 0 | 3-2-0 |
| UAB | 0-2-0 | 0 | 2-2-2 |
Things to keep an eye on in the conference standings:
- Away wins and draws will be vital to win the conference.
- Expect for anything more than 16 points to win the conference regular season title outright.
- It is a very solid league this year, which should allow a team like UNM, UK or Charlotte to be in the the national seed conversation with a first-place finish.
- The top 7 teams will make it to the CUSA Tournament, with the top seed getting a bye into the semifinals.
Match Prediction:
As mentioned earlier, I believe that this match will be one of if not the best match in Conference USA play this season. Both sides have the talent to be two of the best teams in the conference as well as the country. In fact, a win tonight against Kentucky should vault the Lobos back into the top 25. To me, this match could very well decide who wins the regular season title, as a win for either team would give them the tiebreaker which could be very important. I see this match being a close one that will be decided by which team is able to convert their two or three chances in the match. I give the Lobos a 35% chance of winning the match and a 70% chance of getting a result. I have the Lobos winning a 1-0 match with the game-winner coming from Sam Gleadle.
Match Information:
Who: New Mexico Lobos (4-2-0, 0-0-0) vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Where: UNM Soccer Complex, Albuquerque, NM
When: Saturday, September 16th, 7 PM MT
Stream: golobos.com