The 2016 UNM men’s soccer team honored five seniors during Friday’s regular season finale against Old Dominion. Head coach Jeremy Fishbein said each of them has had a positive impact on the program and that he couldn’t be more proud.
“Five guys who have put in a lot of sweat, tears and hard work,” he said. “They are Lobo soccer.”
#6 Nick Rochowski - Defender
Rochowski redshirted his freshman year in 2012, but when he got on the field in 2013, he appeared in 21 games. His first career goal was a game-winner against then No. 11 Georgetown.
The following year, he only appeared in six matches, but in 2015 he was the only Lobo to play every minute of all 18 games finishing with 1,739 minutes.
Rochowski tallied two goals, was named Defensive MVP at the TLP Plumbing and Utility Invitational and received a C-USA Defensive Player of the Week honor.
During his senior season, Rochowski has played in all 17 games so far and recorded a pair of goals.
Fishbein on Rochowski
“Big Chow! Chow came from an incredibly talented club program for FC Dallas. Redshirted his first year because we had some really experienced center backs, and he just continued to grow as a leader, as a player. He’s become one of the best center backs in the country, in my mind.”
Favorite memory as a Lobo
“It would have to be my redshirt freshman year. I played as forward, to the surprise of many. We were playing No. 11 Georgetown and we were ranked No. 9. It was at Georgetown, huge game. We went to double overtime. There were about four minutes left and I scored my first college goal...It was incredible to come home with that win. That first college goal was a fantastic feeling for me.”
#7 Josh Goss - Midfielder
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In 2013, Goss finished his freshman season with 171 minutes in nine game appearances. He dramatically increased his playing time the following year, recording 877 minutes and appearing in all 18 games.
He was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 8, 2014 after scoring the game-winning goal for the Lobos’ 2-1 victory over UC Riverside a few days earlier.
In the 2015 season, Goss received Third Team All-C-USA honors for his performance after playing part of the season as a fullback.
This year, Goss has been on the field for 1,233 minutes in all 17 games. He’s played a total of 3,905 minutes as a Lobo so far.
Fishbein on Goss
“Josh Goss is like a true soccer junkie. You have to drag him off the field. He’s really matured over his four years; he’s become a standout player. He has aspirations of playing after college and I think he has that ability. He’s got such a fire and passion to him. That’s going to be missed. Such high expectations.”
Favorite memory as a Lobo
“My first home game. We played Villanova. (I) came on, the game was kind of tight, but just the energy of the crowd got us going, and we ended up scoring seven goals that game. I got a couple of assists so it was a good experience. I’ll never forget that.”
#11 Niko Hansen - Forward
During his first official game in 2013, Hansen scored twice, allowing UNM to top Villanova 7-2. He finished the season with seven goals, leading the team alongside former Lobo James Rogers. It also led all the C-USA Freshman honors.
Between 2014 and 2015, Hansen racked up eight more goals. But 2016 has been the best year for him — he currently leads the team with 10 goals.
In September, he was named Player of the Week by College Sports News after recording a hat trick during the Lobos’ 3-1 victory over UC Irvine.
Hansen has a total of 25 career goals as a Lobo.
Fishbein on Hansen
“I thought he had a great freshman year and just put a lot of pressure on himself his sophomore and junior years. When you are that talented, you may think it’s going to come easy, but it never comes easy. His harshest critic was himself. I think this year he kind of cleared his head in the summer... came back really focused and he’s had a tremendous season so far.”
Favorite memory as a Lobo
“Besides going to the Final Four, I think it’s kind of the stuff off the field. Being with the guys for the last four years...creating that friendship will be the moment I will remember forever. Soccer-wise, definitely the Final Four and the fact that we got everybody to go that year. That was really special.”
#14 Chris Wehan – Midfielder
2012 was a redshirt season for Wehan, but the midfielder proved his worth by becoming the Conference USA Freshman of the Year in 2013.
His first goal came on Oct. 12, 2013 when UNM took down Florida International 2-1. It got the ball rolling for Wehan, who scored two more that season.
As a sophomore in 2014, he led his team with 10 goals and 22 points recorded, and put up similar stats his junior year.
With six goals scored so far this season, including Senior Night’s penalty kick, Wehan has a total of 29 goals at UNM.
Fishbein on Wehan
“I think other schools maybe overlooked him in that he wasn’t the biggest guy when he got here. I wouldn’t say he is a giant now, but he is a pretty put-together kid. First and foremost is Chris’ determination and the effort he plays with.... He really exemplifies what Lobo soccer is all about.”
Favorite memory as a Lobo
“I think beyond all the games that we won, the goals I’ve scored, the Final Four and everything on the field....I think the friendship and the brotherhood, the best friends that I’ve made, is probably going to be the greatest memory that I’ll hold on to.”
#15 Chris Gurule - Defender
Gurule redshirted in 2012. During his first start in 2013, he had a key team save that allowed the Lobos to walk away with a victory 1-0 over Tulsa.
In 2014, he started in 17 of his 18 games played, for a backline that recorded eight shutouts that year.
As a junior, Gurule was named Second Team All-Conference USA. He started all 18 matches and played 1,666 minutes.
This year, Gurule has started in all 17 games and has recorded three assists so far. He is part of a backline that has recorded seven shutouts. After Friday night, Gurule has now played 5,022 career minutes as a Lobo.
Fishbein on Gurule
“Gurule is a second-generation Lobo athlete...he plays with a lot of pride. He was coming off a lot of injuries as a youth player. In those first couple years he really got his body straight...He has matured into a tremendous player, tremendous leader.”
Favorite memory as a Lobo
“Our run to our Final Four was a great year. I played a little bit of a part in that season. Going to the Final Four and experiencing everything the College Cup has to offer was really cool...but I want my biggest memory to be (last) Friday: to get a home win, to have a lot of my family here and to enjoy Senior Night. Just end everything on a high note for myself and the rest of the team.”
Isabel Gonzalez is a sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. She mainly covers men’s soccer and basketball. She can be reached at sports @dailylobo.com or on Twitter @cisabelg.
