PATRIOTS DROP OPENER
El Paso Comes Up Short in Exhibition Opener Against the New Mexico Lobos, 3-1

The good news is that the El Paso Patriots have kicked off their 18th season with new head coach Miguel Murillo at the helm. The bad news is they kicked it off with an exhibition against NCAA powerhouse New Mexico and the Lobos spoiled the Patriots’ party with a decisive 3-1 win.

UNM head coach Jeremy Fishbein has built a solid squad, taking the Lobos all the way to the College Cup Final in 2005. New Mexico lost the championship to Maryland , 1-0, the same year the Patriots went to the Premier Development League Final, falling in penalty kicks to the Des Moines Menace.

The Lobos looked solid from the start, patient and strong on the ball, though the home team stayed tough defensively. As the first half wore on, though, the game tilted El Paso ’s way. The Patriots began to solve the Lobos defense, and slowly but surely, forwards Omar Mora and Ben Everson found possession in the attacking third.

Ironically, though, Mora’s best chance turned into the first goal for the Lobos. Mora found the ball near the top of the 18-yard box and moved left along the line, then turned and fired with his left foot, barely missing over the crossbar. But UNM keeper Justin Fite’s quick restart burned El Paso on the counter, as forward PJ Wilson let fly with a rolling ball that got a cherry red escort from two Lobos into the back of the Patriots’ net.

El Paso added to its own woes as forward Enrique Cervantes tried for a slide tackle on a 50-50 ball in the midfield, but slid into his Lobos’ marker studs up in the 35th minute. Referee Andrew Gage went straight for the red and the Patriots had slid themselves firmly between the proverbial rock and the hard place.

El Paso hung tight through the rest of the half, but New Mexico would tally again in the 52nd as Ezekiel Jimenez overshot a clearance by the Lobos’ defense. UNM’s James Urbanny and Zach Tierney came forward on a run. Urbanny’s shot beat Patgriots’ goalkeeper Jorge Muñíz, but bounced cleanly off the left post straight to a waiting Tierney, who tucked it home.

Surprisingly, El Paso’s best soccer was played a man short in the second half, but the Lobos would find the back of the net once more before the Patriots tallied, as a New Mexico challenge in the area found playmaking midfielder Diego Barrera, whose strike was sure, beating Muñíz in the 75th minute.

Still, El Paso came forward in numbers and a restart off a series of corner kicks finally found the patient feet of Everson. An English forward with Latin flair, Everson plays collegiately with West Texas A&M but will summer with the Patriots, promising to give El Paso a solid scoring touch up front. Collecting the ball near the left of the area in a crowd in the 80th minute, Everson set himself then speared the ball firmly past Fite into the right upper 90.

New Mexico will play Mexican Division 1-A side Indios before returning to Albuquerque . The Patriots will officially start the season Saturday, May 3rd, hosting the Austin Aztex at Patriot Stadium. For more information on season ticket packages, the Patriots or the Patriots Soccer Academy , log on to www.elpaso-patriots.com, or by phone at 915-771-6620.

Nice write up Vox, as I understand things, the collegiate players are still out playing their spring season hence the Patriots aren't complete yet isn't that right? Regardless of the outcome, it is a good start so early in the season and already playing scrimmage games. Keep us posted on the progress.

You're exactly right, EPSF. There are still a few that have yet to show.

You will enjoy Ben Everson. You'd never know he's English from his game -- step-overs, moves, jinks and jukes. Cristiano Ronaldo would be proud of this kid. Best part is, he's effective.