FC Tucson News Release -- www.fctucson.com
Monday, October 22, 2012
TUCSON, Ariz. — Following back-to-back weekend splits, New Mexico was primed to sweep both of its opponents on Friday and Sunday. And the Lobos did it with authority. On Friday, October 19, New Mexico trounced UNLV 11-0 during a record-setting night. Defender Travis Campbell only played in the first half, but helped shut the Rebels down by not allowing a single shot or corner kick while on the field. On Sunday, October 21, the Lobos won by a more conventional 2-0 score against Cal State Bakersfield. Campbell started and played a full 90 minutes. New Mexico’s back line now has eight shutouts in 15 matches and hasn’t allowed more than two goals in a game all season.
How did FC Tucson's other players fare this weekend? Check out the capsules below.
Sacramento State
Sacramento State’s Big West honeymoon ended this past week after the Hornets dropped back-to-back matches in conference play. On Tuesday, October 16, Sacramento State fell to UC Santa Barbara 2-0. Forward Max Alvarez started that match and played 74 minutes. The Hornets couldn’t rebound on Saturday and lost again, this time 3-1 to UC Davis. Alvarez started and played 68 minutes. Defender Matt Linenberger also started and played the full 90 minutes.
UC Riverside
The Highlanders split a pair of matches over the week. Midfielder Aaron Long helped his team snap a three-match conference-losing streak by scoring the opening goal in a 4-1 win over UC Irvine on Wednesday, October 17. Long now has five goals this season, tied for first on the team. He also has 11 points, which is second best for the Highlanders. Long did not see the pitch in UC Riverside’s 3-2 double overtime loss to Cal State Fullerton on Saturday.
UNLV
The Rebels were on the wrong side of history on Friday night after falling to New Mexico 11-0. Forward Nick Marshall started the match but recorded just one shot. On Sunday Marshall started and recorded four shots, but couldn’t record a point during UNLV’s 4-1 loss to Houston Baptist.
Cal State San Bernardino
Cal State San Bernardino couldn’t notch a win over the weekend but forward Ricardo Velasco provided the lone bright spot for the Coyotes. On Friday, Cal State San Bernardino lost to Chico State 3-1 with Velasco providing the Coyotes’ only goal. On Sunday, Cal State Stanislaus dropped Cal State San Bernardino 1-0. Velasco started and took the most shots but couldn’t find the back of the net. Velasco’s five goals and 11 points this season are both tops among his teammates.
Yavapai Community College
The Roughriders lost in their final match of the season on Friday 3-2 to Arizona Western College, but forward Junior Gbapou recorded an assist in the 50th minute. Yavapai, who finished 19-2-0 (18-2-0 in conference play), will host the NJCAA Region I Playoffs, which begins on Thursday.
The Week Ahead
This Friday night, Santa Clara’s home match against Portland will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel at 7 p.m. PST. Four former FC Tucson players could potentially see some time during the national TV broadcast: Carlos Montes and Wes Culver for Santa Clara and Colin Anderson and Thomas Iwasaki for Portland.