The Lobos (7-3-1, 2-1-1) look to extend their three-match win streak as they host UAB (3-4-3, 0-3-1) in a big C-USA match for the Lobos. After starting the season 0-2 with two road losses in Seattle, the Lobos have gone 7-1-1 over their last 9 matches. The only loss during this 9 match streak was a 1-0 loss to Kentucky, with the lone goal coming with seconds left in the first half on a penalty kick. The Lobos are playing at a high level right now and will be in the hunt for the C-USA regular season title. The key for the Lobos isn’t to worry about winning the title, but taking each match as an opportunity to earn the right to host NCAA Tournament matches. I mentioned this on Twitter, but the Lobos have the ability to win all the remaining matches on their schedule. If the Lobos go into the conference tournament with a 13-3-1, 12-4-1, or 12-3-2 record, they will be in the hunt for a top-16 seed.

Conference Standings:

	Conference Record	Points
ODU	4-0	12
UK	4-1	12
FIU	3-0-1	10
UNM	2-1-1	7
Charlotte	1-1-2	5
Marshall	1-3	3
FAU	1-4	3
UAB	0-3-1	1
South Carolina	0-3-1	1

• The C-USA Tournament is in Norfolk Virginia (ODU) this and the top seven teams in the conference qualify for the tournament, with the top seed getting a bye into the semifinals.
• It appears that 4 teams have a chance to win the conference in ODU, UK, FIU and UNM. FIU has yet to play any of the other 3 teams, ODU beat UK and UK beat UNM. Depending on how the matches against each other go, we could see one of these teams falling out of the the top 4.
• All nine teams in the conference are alive for the conference tournament, but the C-USA is very top heavy this year with 4 very good teams, and two good teams.

UAB Blazers:

	UAB	Opponents
Goals	12 (7 first half, 5 second half)	13 (7 first half, 6 second half)
Goals Per Match	1.20	1.30
Shots on Goal/ Shots	49/124	51/127
Shots Per Match	12.4	12.7
Assists	7	8
Corner Kicks	50	73
Fouls	88	112
Yellow Cards/ Red Cards	8/1	11/0
Goals Against Average	1.22	1.12
Saves	38	37
Shutouts	3	3

Players to watch:

• Midfielders David Valverde and Eder Mora control the middle of the field and set the tone for the backline. If the Lobos are able to limit their impact in the midfield the Lobos could have a field day in the attacking third.
• Massimo Ferrin leads the the Blazers attack with 4 goals and 2 assists. The Lobos will zero in on Ferrin and make others try to break them down. If the Lobos are able to do this, I don’t know if the Blazers will be able to score in this match.
• Rami Dajani should be their second playmaker to watch. If the Blazers want a result in this match, Dejani needs to be special.
• James Teal is their starting goalie with a 1.16 Goals Against Average on the season. He should be tested a lot in this match and he will have to be up to the task.

Lobo Stats:

	Lobos	Opponents
Goals	22 (7 first half, 15 second half)	11 (4 first half, 7 second half)
Goals Per Match	2.00	1.00
Shots on Goal/ Shots	69/149	52/115
Shots Per Match	13.5	10.5
Assists	16	8
Corner Kicks	59	40
Fouls	116	115
Yellow Cards/ Red Cards	13/1	10/3
Goals Against Average	.98	1.96
Saves	41	47
Shutouts	2	2

• With a healthy Nick Barreiro added to the lineup, Aaron Herrera has moved up to midfield and provides more consistent playmaking from the position. Herrera has been one of the main playmakers for the Lobos, leading the teams with 4 goals and tied for the team lead in assists.
• Devin Boyce has stepped up as a playmaker. After playing more of a holding mid early in the season, he has made his playmaking known with two great goals in the last 2 matches, including a beautiful goal with his left foot. Boyce now has 3 goals and 5 assists on the season.
• Sam Gleadle has been great up top and attacking mid for the Lobos (3 goals and 2 assists). Gleadle opens things up for others with his pace and puts the opponent’s backline in difficult situations.
• The backline hasn’t had a string of shutouts so far this season, but I think that is going to change starting tonight.

Match Predictions:

The Lobos are the more talented side between the two teams, espeically as UAB isn’t great attacking team and could be bottled up in this match. I look for UAB to pack things in and try to steal a result. The key for the Lobos is to not put pressure on themselves and to look to build up the attack and put Boyce, Herrera and Gleadle in good attacking positions. I have the Lobos odds of winning the match at 45% and a 83% chance of getting a result. I have the Lobos winning the match 2-0 with goals from Gleadle and Herrera.

Match Info:

Who: New Mexico Lobos (7-3-1, 2-1-1) vs. UAB Blazers (3-4-3, 0-3-1)

When: Saturday October 14th, 7:00 PM MT

Where: UNM Soccer Complex, Albuquerque, NM

Stream: MW Network