The Pilots will be without West Coast Conference player of the year Eddie Sanchez tonight as they face the New Mexico Lobos in their first playoff game since 2009.
In the 83rd minute of the game against Saint Mary’s last weekend, Sanchez picked up his fifth yellow card of the year. By rule, Sanchez is required to sit out tonight’s game due to card accumulation.
Sanchez has been a key player for the Pilots throughout the regular season as he scored six goals, good for the fourth most in the WCC. He also added seven assists, the second most by any player in the conference.
Being without the MVP of the conference will be a challenge for the Pilots, but Sanchez has faith in his team ahead of the 6 p.m. matchup against New Mexico.
“It’s rough that I won’t be able to play tonight,” Sanchez said of his one-game suspension. “But I have belief and faith in the team that they are going to play their hearts out for me and the university.”
With Sanchez out, the Pilots have many options at the midfield who will need to step up in the absence of one of the teams’ top performers. The Pilots have emphasized the importance of every player all season long, even the non-starters who will have to come up big tonight.
“Nothing changes today, we are one team with one goal,” Sanchez said. “After everything we’ve been through we are a family.”
The Pilots hope to come away with a win tonight against No. 22 New Mexico. A win would send them to Seattle to face Washington, a game that Sanchez would be available for after sitting out tonight’s game.
