Lobo Soccer Will Have A Championship Task At Hand On Sunday
New Mexico will look to leave the MPSF on a high note

<b>Goalkeeper Pat Poblete did his part against Denver by stopping a Pioneer penalty kick.</b>


Goalkeeper Pat Poblete did his part against Denver by stopping a Pioneer penalty kick.

Nov. 10, 2012

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - The quest for another Mountain Pacific Sports Federation championship will get its ending on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the UNM Soccer Complex. In a match-up rich with storylines, the ninth-ranked Lobos will take on Air Force for the MPSF Tournament championship.

The subplots of this match-up are more than just the winner taking home an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament:

  • Air Force was the last team to beat New Mexico back on October 12 in Colorado Springs, Colo.
  • The 2-1 win by the Falcons was also the last time UNM has given up a goal to its opponent. That streak is now at seven-consecutive shutouts and 645 straight minutes without allowing a score.
  • Air Force was also the team to snap New Mexico's regular season home-unbeaten streak at 13 games when they won at the UNM Soccer Complex on October 5.
  • The sweep of the regular season series by Air Force was the first time UNM Head Coach Jeremy Fishbein had ever loss twice to the Falcons in one season.
  • Air Force Head Coach Doug Hill was named MPSF Coach of the Year, which is an award Fishbein has won four times before.
  • The match will be the last official MPSF action for UNM. The Lobos will leave the conference after 14 years to join Conference USA next season.

Redemption and revenge may be motivating factors for some but not Fishbein. His mantra throughout the season has been to have the play on the pitch meet the high expectations Lobo Soccer sets for itself.

"It's not really about revenge as much as it is about us. We got to continue to be good on the ball. Our pressure needs to be good, and we've got to take our chances against them. We had our moments both times we played them. We were good, but we didn't take our chances against them in the attacking third. We are playing with a lot of confidence right now. We're healthy. I think we'll be rested for that game, and we will be prepared," said Fishbein after New Mexico's 3-0 win over Denver in the MPSF semifinals.


 

 

Last Time Out:3-0 Win over Denver

The Lobos will be gunning for their fourth MPSF Tournament championship to go along with their recently won eighth regular season championship. The Lobos would have more tourney titles, but the conference discontinued its tournament from 2004-2008.

The back-stories are there, and there is plenty on the line in Sunday's MPSF Tournament Championship. Be sure to catch the action yourself at the UNM Soccer Complex at 1 p.m.
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