The University of New Mexico men’s soccer team played to a goalless draw against North Carolina-Charlotte in their last home game that went into double overtime.
This game marked senior night for the Lobos, and Sam Gleadle, Luke Lawrence, Lucas Seligman and Jason Beaulieu were honored on the evening.
Having drawn their last two home games against Denver and Charlotte respectively, the Lobos are now 8-4-4 overall and 3-2-2 in Conference USA. This was an important game for the Lobos, since Charlotte was one point behind New Mexico in fourth place in C-USA.
The draw sees both teams maintain their previous standings, with New Mexico in fourth at eleven points and Charlotte in fifth with ten points.
"It was a tough game where both teams had some chances,” head coach Jeremy Fishbein said in a release. “We're just two teams fighting late in the season, and we're both kind of in the same spot. I'm proud of our guys. We defended well; it was just about trying to take a moment, for either team, and neither team could put one away."
The 49ers are ranked second in C-USA and sixth in the nation in shots on goal per game at 7.29. They are also ranked seventh in the nation in shots per game, recording at 16.07. The 49ers showcased this, as they outshot Lobos 19-16.
Throughout the game, the 49ers strung together some great passing moves but lacked the final pass and finish to get the win.
Goalkeeper Beaulieu made seven saves on the night to register his fifth shutout of the season and 22nd career shutout.
The Lobos had their chances from set pieces, as they outnumbered 49ers in corners 8-3. However, the Lobos were unable to score the game-winning goal.
Gleadle started the game, as he missed the last one due to injury. Also, Herrera, defender and top goal scorer, started in more of an attacking position to provide the Lobos with the best possible chance of scoring. Defender and freshman Nick Barreiro started at right back.
Gleadle was active throughout the game, chasing down balls and creating chances for himself, the first of which arrived in the 23rd minute.
Off a Charlotte corner, the ball was cleared by the Lobos and Gleadle chased it down with blistering pace. Gleadle pounced on the ball, as there was a lack of communication between the 49ers defenders and got a shot on goal.
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Just two minutes later, Barreiro faked a shot and drove into the 18-yard box. He fired the ball towards the goal, which the keeper saved comfortably.
The 49ers started the second half, strongly firing two shots within the first fifteen minutes of it. Daniel Bruce, Charlotte’s leading goal scorer, led the team on the night, registering eight shots on target, three of which were on goal.
The Lobos had a couple of chances towards the end of regulation time, as they were awarded free kicks close to the goal. Herrera stepped up on both these occasions but skied the shots.
Junior and midfielder Simon Spangenberg registered three shots on target with two on goal. He also fired one from 35 yards out, and the keeper made a great save to stop the ball going in the net.
In their last match of the season, the Lobos play Old Dominion on Friday, Nov. 3 at 5 p.m. in Norfolk, Virginia.
Ajinkya Patil is a freelance sports reporter for the Daily Lobo. He primarily covers men’s soccer. He can be contacted at sports@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @ajinkyapatil_16.
