New Mexico –3  #24 Old Dominion-0

NORFOLK, Va.  – The New Mexico Lobos were looking to finish off their tall order of the week against Old Dominion University (9-4-1). It was mission accomplished for the Lobos as they defeated their second ranked team and conference leader in a week with a 3-0 win over the nationally-ranked Monarchs. New Mexico (10-4-2) took down tenth-ranked UAB Blazers just days before toppling conference-leading Old Dominion.

The Lobos received goals from James Rogers, Christopher Wehan and Michael Calderon for their three scores. Goalkeeper Michael Lisch recorded his seventh shutout of the season while making a season-high seven saves.

Coach Fishbein and the Lobos drew first blood and took the home crowd out of the match with a James Rogers goal in the 18^th minute of the match. New Mexico continued to attack and press with their one-goal lead throughout the first half and was rewarded with a second goal in the final minute of the half. Christopher Wehan forced a turnover and put away his third goal of the season on the solo effort.

The Cherry & Silver got the best of the Monarchs in the first half despite being out-shot (ten to nine) and losing the battle in corner kicks (four to zero). Michael Lisch made five saves in the first half, which was a season high for him.

Old Dominion continued to be the aggressor, but Lisch and the Lobo defense held in the second half as well. New Mexico got an insurance goal in the 81^st minute when Michael Calderon converted a penalty kick. While New Mexico didn’t take as many shots as the Monarchs, they made things difficult for the ODU goalkeeper Sean Stowe. They put three goals past him while forcing him to make seven saves of his own.

Scoring Summary

New Mexico (17:11) James Rogers (unassisted)

New Mexico (44:14) Christopher Wehan (unassisted)

New Mexico (80:45) Michael Calderon (penalty kick)

Lineups

Starters: Lisch (GK), Gibbons, Venter, Miele, Fisher, Dye, Calderon, McKendry, Rogers, Wehan and Rochowksi.

First Half Subs:  Hansen (23:30), McGovern (25:37)

Notes

• New Mexico has defeated back-to-back ranked opponents in the regular season for the second-straight season. The 2012 Lobos defeated #20 SMU and #25 UAB in back-to-back matches in the non-conference portion of their schedule.
• The win at Old Dominion gives New Mexico its third-straight season of ten or more wins. The Lobos have had at least ten wins in eight of its last nine seasons.
• Michael Calderon converted a penalty kick for a second-straight game. He is now four of five in penalty kicks this season. New Mexico only attempted two penalty kicks in 2012.
• Goalkeeper Michael Lisch set a new season high with seven saves against the Monarchs. His previous season high was four saves, which he matched in the first half. His seven saves were the most by a UNM keeper since Vic Rodriguez also had seven saves against CSU Bakersfield in the 2011 MPSF Tournament.

Quotable

“I am really proud of the guys. I thought we came out strong and got a really good first goal from James (Rogers). We went on to get a great second goal and defended extremely tough as well. We had a lot of opportunities to put it away when we were looking for a third goal, but Old Dominion really battled and made it tough for us.” – Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein

“We defended well thanks to an incredible game from Michael Lisch. He organized well for us in goal and had a season high in saves against a very good Old Dominion team.” – Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein.

Next Up

Coach Fishbein and the Lobos return home for their regular season finale. New Mexico will host Kentucky on Senior Night on Saturday, November 9 at 5 p.m. (MT) at the UNM Soccer Complex.