ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- For the second conecutive NCAA tournament match, New Mexico showed that good things happen to those who wait. After failing to find the back of the net in the first half, New Mexico scored twice within four minutes in the second half to defeat Penn State in the quarterfinals of the 2013 NCAA tournament. The pair of goals, scored by Riley McGovern and Oniel Fisher, were both assisted by Michael Calderon. The victory on Sunday night sends the Lobos to their second round of eight appearance.
The Lobos came out on the attack from the first whistle as Kyle Venter forced a save from PSU’s Andrew Wolverton off a header just 15 seconds in the match. New Mexico held a seven-to-one advantage in shots in the first half with four of those shots being on goal. UNM’s other threatening chances came off a Nick Rochowski header and a Christopher Wehan shot attempt from the left flank.
New Mexico did not take its foot off the accelerator in the second half and found the back of the net within the first 10 minutes of the half. The scoring action began when Calderon softly lobbed a pass into the box to Fisher. Fisher, who was making a run from the right edge of the box, received the pass on the run in the middle of the box. Fisher took a quick touch before burying his first goal of the season.
Fisher’s goal brought the crowd of 3,347 to its feet, and New Mexico fed off the energy. The pace frenzied as the Lobos received their second goal less than four minutes later.
Michael Calderon was the catalyst of the scoring attack again. His corner kick was a pinpoint sailing ball to James Rogers who brought the pass down at the near post. Rogers took the touch and left the ball for a charging Riley McGovern who blasted home the goal.
The Cherry & Silver finished the match with a 15-5 shot advantage with nine of those being on goal.
New Mexico advances to its second national quarterfinal game. The Lobos advanced to the fourth round and beyond en route to their national championship appearance in 2005. The Lobos will travel to Washington for their match on Saturday evening.
