New Mexico opened conference play with a 2-1 loss to Old Dominion. Isabel Gonzalez/ The Lobo Lair
By Isabel Gonzalez
@cisabelg
Once again, defense proved to be an issue for the University of New Mexico men’s soccer team as the Lobos fell 2-1 during the Conference USA opener against Old Dominion.
Freshman Alex Fetterly was the starting goalkeeper for the Lobos. This was his first start of the season, as redshirt junior Ford Parker is usually in that spot.
The night didn’t start so well for Fetterly as he allowed his first goal less than two minutes into the match. This goal came from ODU’s Max Wilschrey, his seventh of the season, unassisted. He scored his eight goal with an assist by teammate Sebastien Hauret when a mistake by Fetterly left the net wide open at the 20th minute.
However, the freshman goalkeeper’s performance improved throughout the night and he managed to record a total of seven saves.
“I think he made a daring decision to come out on that second goal and missed it, but outside of that, he had a fantastic game,” said UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein.
The lone goal for the Lobos came from freshman Omar Grey during the 25th minute assisted by redshirt junior Tom Smart. Grey now leads the Lobos in scoring with five goals this season.
GOAL New Mexico: Omar Grey puts the first one in for the Lobos and does a little celebration dance after. pic.twitter.com/MTn3i6QEqC
— Isabel Gonzalez (@cisabelg) September 16, 2018
New Mexico, now 2-5 overall and 0-1 in C-USA, has yet to record a clean sheet but has already experienced two shutouts. The season began promising as the Lobos opened up with a victory against Seattle, the then-No. 22 team in the nation.
After Saturday’s loss to Old Dominion, Fishbein said he thought the Lobos created good chances but are “missing a little bit of something.” His closing statement during the postgame interview showed more of his emotions.
“People go and say you should be different. You are playing with your backs to the wall this year. That’s a load of shit,” the coach said. “These guys are hurting. We’re all hurting. Maybe that’s just it, I don’t know what else to say….It’s gut-wrenching.”
Box score.
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