The UNM men's soccer team remained undefeated this weekend to extend its unbeaten streak to eight -- the best start ever for the program.
The Lobos (8-0-0) defeated Georgia State University and Southwest Missouri State University during the Lobo Invitational at the UNM Soccer Complex.
UNM got scoring from its young players on Friday and a game-winning goal from a senior co-captain on Sunday.
UNM 4, Georgia State 1
The Lobos continued its stellar play by dominating the Panthers Friday night.
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In front of a raucous crowd of 1,312, UNM displayed speed, skills, and strength in the 4-1 rout.
"The team is creating opportunities and scoring goals and that is what the game is all about," head coach Jeremy Fishbein said.
Freshman forward Ben Ashwill continued his admirable inaugural season by drilling two goals into the back of the net, bringing his goal total to eight on the season.
The Georgia State defense spent the majority of the game protecting its own goal as the Lobos' offense penetrated with ease. With quick passes and blazing speed, UNM was hard to contain.
The Lobos' first goal came in the19th minute when picturesque assist from another freshman, Lance Watson to Ashwill.
Watson took a pass 10 yards outside the box, pushed forward and fed the streaking Ashwill over the middle. Ashwill took the ball in stride and ripped a bullet past the Panther keeper. .
UNM's offensive firepower displayed its deadliness minutes into the second half. Sophmore Danny Bills was pulled down from behind after penetrating into the Panther's box and a penalty kick was awarded. Bills converted the penalty kick.
With a 2-0 lead, the Lobos kept the offensive pressure on the GSU. Ashwill scored his second goal in dramatic fashion in the 57th minute. On a low, Watson cross from the right side, Ashwill came sliding into the box and connected with his right foot, smashing the ball past the outstretched keeper for a 3-0 lead. Freshman Sam Suflita finished off the scoring with a goal in the 79th minute giving UNM a comfortable 4-1 lead.
The only offense the Panthers displayed were long balls and a non-threatening counter attack. Their lone goal came on a Stephen Adams penalty kick in the 73rd minute after the midfielder was dragged down in the penalty box.
After the victory; the team was brimming with confidence.
"Our best aspect as a team is our team chemistry," Fishbein said. "It's amazing how everyone likes each other and gets along."
With the Lobos winning at an amazing pace, the top 25 is in their sights but the team has other things on its mind.
"The top 25 is not our goal," senior co-captain Junro Narita said. "We acknowledge it, but it is just a given thing. We want the automatic bid to the national tournament and reaching that tournament is the most important thing."
UNM 1, S.W. Missouri St. 0
Junro Narita scored the game's only goal in the 19th minute to lift the Lobos to a victory over the Bears. Narita, a senior midfielder, scored the goal on a direct kick from 19 yards out. It was his second goal of the year.
The Lobos out-shot SMS (1-7-1) eight to four in the first half. The Bears managed to outshoot UNM in the second half, but only forced Lobo goalkeeper Andrew Weber into two saves in the second half. Weber, last week's Mountain Pacific Sports Federation player of the week, made three saves total in earning his third shutout of the year.
SMS's keeper, junior Matt Pickens, had six saves for the game. The Lobos had nine corner kicks to the Bears' two.
In the tournament's other games, SMS lost to the Air Force Academy 2-1 Friday and Georgia State (3-4-0) defeated Air Force 2-1 Sunday. The Falcons fell to 3-4-1
UNM plays their next three games on the road before returning for their MPSF opener against San Diego State University. The Lobos next match is Sept. 29 against California State University at Fullerton in Fullerton, Calif.
Lobo staffer Kenn Rodriguez contributed to this story
