ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - Stanford produced one of its strongest offensive performances of the season, but still fell victim to a late goal and suffered its seventh one-goal loss, 2-1 to New Mexico in a nonconference men's soccer match on Friday night.
Stanford coach Bret Simon has seen similar results go against his team all season and said he was left wondering, "When will the law of averages go our way."
It didn't happen Friday when New Mexico's Justin Davis worked a combination with teammate Michael Green in the middle of the defense and first-timed the return pass off the crossbar and into the goal for the 83rd-minute winner.
Stanford (3-8-2), in the midst of a 1-7-1 stretch in which no match has been decided by more than one goal, struck first on senior midfielder Tom Montgomery's third goal this season.
The former walk-on cut across the top of the penalty area before striking a low shot that found the net in the 29th minute.
However, New Mexico (7-5-2) answered back six minutes later on a full volley by reserve P.J. Wilson.
Stanford forced New Mexico goalkeeper Eric Staver into six saves. Staver stifled a pair of one-on-one opportunities by Cardinal midfielder Garrett Gunther. Staver's save totals don't include two other shots that were saved off the line by Lobo defenders.
"Everybody's frustrated," Simon said. " But all the guys on the team played very hard. I have to give a huge amount of credit to the guys, for playing like it was the national championship."
Freshman forward Cullen Wilson received his first start of the season, pairing with Bobby Warshaw up front in a 4-4-2 formation, allowing Montgomery to drop into his preferred midfield spot.
Wilson played well in 71 minutes of action, working "tirelessly and being a thorn in the side of New Mexico's defense," Simon said.
As for the one-goal defeats, all seven of the deciding goals have come late in the second half or in overtime, and all broke ties. The seven such defeats are the most for Stanford in one season since 2005, when it had as many during a 4-11-3 campaign.
"Even after their second goal, the guys fought like crazy to the very last second," Simon said of his team's effort. "In the end, the most important thing is they laid it on the line. I'm very proud of them for that."
New Mexico 2, Stanford 1
Stanford 1 0 - 1
New Mexico 1 1 - 2
S - Montgomery (unassisted), 29th.
NM - Wilson (Wright, Smithson), 35th; Davis (Green), 83rd.
Records - Stanford 3-8-2, New Mexico 7-5-2.