by Kristie Boudwin
Daily Lobo
The UNM men's soccer team gave Albuquerque a reason to tailgate, rush the field and get excited about UNM fall sports.
Tournament games sold out for the men's soccer team this season and bars were packed with fans for the semifinal and final games.
Players signed autographs left and right.
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More people than ever before can pronounce head coach Jeremy Fishbein's name, and soccer seems to be the fall sport to talk about.
Sophomore goalkeeper Mike Graczyk said he is excited the team could give Albuquerque a gift like that and he was glad to see them receive it so positively.
"It was awesome," Graczyk said. "For them to embrace soccer the way they did was something I have never seen."
The loss to Maryland in the championship game Sunday makes it hard to remember how far the most-winning senior class in UNM history has taken the soccer program.
"Our senior class is great," junior Andrew Boyens said. "The guys that are seniors are the reason we did so well this year. I really hope they can take this program to even higher things."
Boyens said this season's success put New Mexico soccer on the map. Graczyk said the recognition and performance in the championship game brings positive attention and promising recruits.
"We played well and should have won," Graczyk said. "Now that we got here, I think guys being recruited realize that every year we really are competing for a national championship."
Graczyk said it is good the younger players on the team were able to experience the championship game.
"When we come back, hopefully we can take that trophy," Graczyk said.
Graczyk said he hopes next year's fans come out to tailgate and support the team in masses and maintain the enthusiasm.
"Hopefully we can continue that next year," Graczyk said. "Hopefully it doesn't take until the postseason to get ropes around the field because we don't have enough room in the stands."
Boyens said the program is one of the best in the country and he hopes they can get the trophy to prove they are the best in coming years.
"I hope they can really take this program to an even higher level, maybe even win one at some stage," Boyens said.
