Announcements

August 29, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels Stay Unbeaten With 3-1 Win Over Southern Utah

UNLV begins the season 4-0 for the second straight year, matching best start in program history.

 

Aug. 27, 2017

Box Score | Season Statistics

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer stayed perfect on the season with a 3-1 win over Southern Utah on a hot Sunday afternoon at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels are 4-0 through the first two weekends for the second year in a row, matching the program-best start they achieved last season.

Sophomore midfielder Georgia Kingman got the offense going early with a goal in the ninth minute off of a rebounded shot, while Sophie Cortes’ pair of goals 13 minutes a part in the middle of the game gave the Rebels a comfortable lead at 3-0. Sunday’ performance by the speedy midfielder capped a stellar weekend for the senior as she netted three goals total in the wins over Utah Valley and Southern Utah to give her four on the year – the same amount she had in all of 2016.

Southern Utah (0-4) spoiled the shutout with a goal of their own in the 81st minute, but the early lead did allow several young Rebel newcomers to see extended amounts of playing time, which will surely help with depth later in the year.

THE TURNING POINT: The Rebels took control early, attacking the Thunderbird defense relentlessly. Cortes was at the center of it, getting a couple shots off from 12 yards out that were blocked by the SUU keeper. One shot bounced off the keeper and out to the waiting foot of Kingman, who blasted it from the left side of the box from 15 yards out and right under the crossbar for the 1-0 lead.

STAT OF THE GAME: For the fourth-straight game, the Rebels out-shot the their opponent, this time with an 20-8 margin. They have held opponents to single-digit shots three out of the four games in 2017.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Sophie Cortes. Cortes’ goals came in the 37th minute and the 50th minute, putting the Rebels up 3-0 and ultimately providing the margin of victory over the Thunderbirds.

QUOTABLE:

Head coach Chris Shaw on the team’s performance:

“I thought we controlled the ball and the game and had a majority of the possession, but I thought we were a little impatient in the attack. We settled for some longer shots rather than waiting for more dangerous opportunities. But we were able to get a lot of players in and see some freshman out there for the first time. It was not one of our better performances, but a win is a win and we’re 4-0, so we’ll take that.”

Shaw on heading out on the road next weekend for the first time in 2017:

“We’ll see how it goes. The road presents different challenges – a hostile environment, different routine – so hopefully they are ready. We know we are going to have two tough games next weekend, so it will be a challenge and we will see what happens.”

REBEL NOTES: 

* The Rebels won their first four games for the second consecutive year to match last year’s program-best start.
* Dating back to last season, the Rebels are unbeaten in 14 straight regular season contests.
* Cortes’ four goals matches the total she had in all of 2016.
* Junior Amanda Galbraith picked up her fourth assist on the year as she set up Cortes’ first goal of the afternoon in the 37th minute.
* Freshman Hannah Harrison nabbed her first career assist with a beautiful ball over the SUU back line that Cortes was able to run onto and score in the 50th minute.

* The Rebels stayed a perfect 7-0 all-time against Southern Utah.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebels venture out on the road for the first time this season, heading to Northern California for a Friday matchup with Sacramento State and a Sunday contest against UC Davis. Follow the road matches on the UNLV Women’s Soccer twitter page (@UNLVwSoccer) and at UNLVrebels.com.

August 26, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels Stun No. 15 Portland With Last Second Header

UNLV has knocked off three of its last four ranked opponents.

Aug. 25, 2017

PORTLAND, Oregon (UNLVRebels.com) – In perhaps the most thrilling finish in UNLV men’s soccer history, the Rebels stunned 15th-ranked Portland on the road Friday night in front of a crowd of 4,385 off a golden goal with just one second left in the second overtime for a 3-2 victory in the season opener for both teams. Following a yellow card against the Pilots, Rebel goalkeeper Enrique Adame took the free kick 75 yards away from the Portland goal. The ball bounced at the top of the box, and then junior Daniel Moran slipped free and headed it in for a goal, the first of his career, at the 1:09.59 mark of the contest.

THE TURNING POINT: Portland was forced to play shorthanded from the 39th minute after Danny Musovskiwas dragged down from behind on a breakaway. The Rebels trailed 2-1 at that point, but with the Pilots down to just 10 players they could not add to their lead, allowing the comeback by UNLV.

STAT OF THE GAME: Portland had four shots on goal in the first 45 minutes, and only one total in the final 65.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Musovski showed why he’s a preseason All-American, as the senior forward scored the night’s first goal and assisted on the tying score to finish with three points, in addition to drawing the game-changing red card against the Pilots.

QUOTABLE: “A fantastic start to the first game of the 2017 campaign with an exciting finish in double overtime in the very last second of the game. Danny Musovski’s play in the first half was giving the defenders fits and his threatening runs to the goal really put the team off balance. This is the first time many of our players have been in front of a very intimate atmosphere of a crowd this size, and they held their composure well over the game. This is just step one in the long journey ahead, we came to win, we were fortunate to get the win, now we regroup and get ready for Oregon State on Monday.” – Head Coach Rich Ryerson.

REBEL NOTES:
* Dating back to the semifinals of the 2016 WAC Tournament, the Rebels have knocked off three of the past four ranked teams they have faced. They took down No. 23 Utah Valley 1-0 in the WAC semifinals, and followed that by topping No. 18 San Diego State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, before falling at No. 6 Denver in the NCAA second round.
* The assist by goalkeeper Enrique Adame was the first of his career.
* Daniel Moran scored his first career game-winner, and first overall goal with the double-overtime header.
* Freshman Marco Gonzalez recorded his first career point with an assist on the night’s second goal, a sliding kick by Spencer Jackson in the 67th minute. Danny Musovski also assisted on the score.
* Musovski notched the first goal of the night when he headed in Timo Mehlich’s corner kick in the 21st minute that tied the game at 1-1. That gives the senior 33 total goals in his career.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will play at Oregon State on Monday, Aug. 28, at 1 pm, in a game televised by the Pac-12 Network.

August 26, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Golden Goal Lifts Rebels To Double Overtime Victory

Senior defender Chidera Akubuilo knocks in a game-winning header goal off an Amanda Galbraith corner kick with under three minutes remaining in double overtime Friday night.

 

Aug. 26, 2017

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer was challenged for the first time in 2017 and the Rebels responded well, fighting through a physical game and an early deficit for a double overtime victory Friday night at home against Utah Valley (1-2).

UNLV (3-0) found itself in unfamiliar territory – down 1-0 just four minutes into the game on an early Wolverine goal – but was able to refocus and even the score at one in the 17th minute on senior midfielder Sophie Cortes’ second goal of the year. That’s where the score remained for the next 90 minutes, well into in the second overtime period, until the head of senior defender Chidera Akubuilo found Amanda Galbraith’sperfectly placed corner kick with under three minutes remaining in the game. The golden goal kept the Rebels’ record perfect on the year at 3-0 and marked the second straight year the team has started the season with three straight wins.

THE TURNING POINT: With the second overtime winding down and the game looking as if it was destined for a draw, the Rebels continued to relentlessly attack the Utah Valley defense. The pressure paid off as UNLV drew a corner with three minutes left on the clock. Junior forward Amanda Galbraith, the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, set up for the corner kick and placed the ball in front of the goal and in the perfect spot for the 5-9 Akubuilo to track it out of the air with her head.

STAT OF THE GAME: For the third-straight game, the Rebels out-shot the their opponent, this time with an 18-10 margin.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Chidera Akubuilo nabbed the game-winner, but the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List selection was all over the place Friday night, thwarting several attacks by the Wolverines from her center back position.

QUOTABLE:

On the early goal by UVU and the late win:

“It wasn’t our best performance, giving up the early goal is not ideal, but after that I thought we settled in. Credit to the players, they responded well [to the early goal|. That was one of my questions, how resilient are we going to be when we get down a goal? So they responded well to that. And  then overtime, to me is a gut check, it’s all about heart and desire and they battled. There is a reason Chi is on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and I think she showed what’s she capable of in winning the game for us. Utah Valley is a good team, so anytime you get a “W”, we’re pleased.” – HC Chris Shaw

On if last year’s loss at Utah Valley was on the returning players minds:

“We decided we aren’t going to talk about last year. We’re focused on this team, this year. What happened in the past is in the past and we are going to keep moving forward because I think this group is a special group and has the ability to do a lot great things.” – HC Chris Shaw

REBEL NOTES: 

* The Rebels won their first three games for the second consecutive year.
* UNLV is looking for a second straight 4-0 start, which would match the best start in program history set last year.
* Dating back to last season, the Rebels are unbeaten in 13 straight regular season contests.
* Cortes already has two goals through three games after scoring four all of last season.
* Two of three of Galbraith’s assists have come on header goals.
* Michaela Morris recorded the assist on Cortes’ goal, laying it off perfectly at the 18 yard box to set Cortes up.
* The Rebels have never lost to Sunday’s opponent, Southern Utah.
* Utah Valley handed the Rebels their first loss a year ago after their 4-0 start, making the double OT victory that much sweeter.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebels wrap up their four-game homestand Sunday at 1 p.m. against Southern Utah, who they beat 2-1 a year ago in Cedar City. Purchase tickets at unlvtickets.com.

August 25, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Opening Weekend Has Rebels On Road At Portland, Oregon State

UNLV, the preseason favorites in the WAC, are looking for their first-ever road wins over the Pilots and the Beavers.

 

Aug. 24, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – @UNLVRebelSoccer |  UNLV Weekly Release  |  Buy Tickets

UNLV men’s soccer will begin its season by facing four NCAA teams from a year ago in the first five contests of the season. That includes Friday’s season opener at Portland, which comes into the weekend ranked No. 15 by Top Drawer Soccer. A trip to Pac-12 member Oregon State Monday in a game televised nationally by the Pac-12 Network will concluded the weekend road trip for the Rebels.

The contest with the Pilots on Friday be shown locally in the Portland area on Comcast. Live video streams of both the Portland and Oregon State contests will be available as well off links at UNLVRebels.com.

The Rebels will be on the road against next week at New Mexico (Sept. 8), before hosting Pacific on their home opener on Friday, Sept. 8. The annual Alumni game is also set for that date as well, starting at 4:30 pm. Season tickets are on sale now and are just $35 for adults, $25 for UNLV faculty/staff and seniors. Single game ticket prices this season are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors, though a special internet price of $5 is available for all tickets bought online at UNLVTickets.com, good up to three hours before game time. Kids 12 and under are always free at UNLV men’s soccer contests.

GAME #1
UNLV (0-0-0, 0-0-0) at NR/#15 Portland (0-0-0)
Friday, Aug. 25 – 7 pm – Portland, Ore. (Merlo Field)
Live Stats – Live Video

GAME #2
UNLV (0-0-0, 0-0-0) at Oregon State (0-0-0)
Monday, Aug. 28 – 1 pm – Corvallis, Ore. (Lorenz Field)
Live Stats – Live Video

August 25, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels Face Pair of Utah Foes at Home

UNLV hosts Utah Valley Friday, August 25 at 7 p.m., and Southern Utah Sunday, August 27 at 1 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

 

Aug. 24, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer opened the 2017 season last weekend at home hosting the annual UNLV Invitational, where it turned in two dominant performances en route to a 2-0 start. The Rebels will be home for the second straight weekend, welcoming a pair of Utah schools to Peter Johann Memorial Field. The team should have revenge on its mind in Friday night’s 7 p.m. contest against Utah Valley as the Wolverines handed UNLV its first loss a year ago after a 4-0 start. Sunday’s 1 p.m. match against Southern Utah is also a rematch, with UNLV hoping to repeat the 2-1 result it had in Cedar City in 2016.
Utah Valley (1-1) at UNLV (2-0)
Friday, Aug. 25 
7 p.m. | Peter Johann Memorial Field | Las Vegas
UNLV leads the all-time series 3-2
 
Southern Utah (0-2) at UNLV (2-0)
Sunday, Aug. 27 
1 p.m. | Peter Johann Memorial Field | Las Vegas
UNLV leads the all-time series 6-0

The Rebels entered 2017 having to replace a combined 30 goals and 27 assists by the now departed Lily Sender, Susie Bernal, Jordan Magnin and Dakota Blazak, and if the first weekend was any indication of how they will fare, they have only reloaded.

After a jittery first half in the season-opener, UNLV settled down and played its game, scoring three goals over the final 25 minutes to shutout Drake 3-0. Sophomore Kate Ballou, who is returning from a torn ACL, sparked the offense off the bench with a spectacular goal from 40 yards out that sailed right under the crossbar to break a scoreless tie. Michaela Morris netted the second goal on a header off a beauty of a cross by newcomer Amanda Galbraith while fellow newcomer Caitlyn Kreutz added an insurance goal in the 88th minute. The scoring barrage continued in Sunday’s contest as the Rebels scored four goals in the first 11 minutes, with two goals and an assist coming from Galbraith, in an eventual 5-1 win over Wright State.

For her two-goal, two-assists performance, Galbraith earned her first Mountain West Offensive Player Week honor and was named to TopDrawerSoccer’s National Team of the Week. The undefeated start also helped the Rebels nab a No. 14 ranking in the United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll, a spot ahead of the University of Washington.

Visit unlvtickets.com to purchase tickets in advance.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION 

  • Utah Valley opened the season in Hawai’i, losing a 2-1 heartbreaker in overtime, but bounced back with a 2-1 win over Houston Baptist to go 1-1 over the weekend. Sophomore Breanna DeWaal leads the Wolverines with two goals on the year.
  • Southern Utah heads into the weekend still looking for its first win of 2017 after an 0-2 opening weekend, dropping road games to UC Riverside (1-0) and Boise State (5-1).

STATISTICAL RANKINGS

  • NCAA: The Rebels currently boast a top-10 offense in the country, ranking tied for eighth in total goals (8) and total points (25) and tied for sixth in total assists (9). Individually, Galbraith ranks tied for 14th in the country in total points (6).
  • Mountain West: The Rebels lead the MW in every major statistical category, including goals, points, assists, and shots (47) while they are tied for second in goals-against-average (.50).

NEWS & NOTES

  • UNLV started the season 2-0 for the second straight season and for the third in four years under head coach Chris Shaw.
  • The Rebels are looking for a 4-0 start for the second straight year, which would match their best start in program history set last year.
  • For the second consecutive year, UNLV nabbed the first Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week award of the year with Galbraith earning her first career honor.
  • Galbraith, a junior college transfer, and fellow starting forward Caitlyn Kreutz, a San Luis Obispo transfer, made an immediate impact in their first action as Rebels, combining for three goals and two assists on opening weekend.
  • The United Soccer Coaches, formerly the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, released its first regional rankings of the year, with UNLV ranked No. 14 in the West Region.
  • Chris Shaw is in his fourth year with a 38-22-5 overall record.
  • The Rebels were picked to finish third in the Mountain West preseason coaches poll, their highest spot in the poll since 2013. San Diego State and San Jose State were picked to finish one-two, but UNLV’s five first-place votes were the most of any school.
  • Senior Chidera Akubuilo, the reigning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year, collected several preseason honors. She became the first Rebel to be named to the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, the most prestigious award in collegiate soccer. She was also named to TopDrawerSoccer.com’s Women’s DI Best XI Third Team and is ranked No. 23 on the site’s Women’s Collegiate Top 100.
  • The Rebels return two All-Conference First Team selections in Akubuilo and Sophie Cortes, a second team selection in Jordan Sallee and two Mountain West All-Newcomer team selections in Paige Almendariz and Georgia Kingman.
  • Sallee also garnered preseason honors as she was ranked No. 66 overall and the No. 9 senior keeper on Everybody Soccer, a site dedicated to collegiate goalkeepers
  • Freshman Erykah Browne was a member of El Salvador U20 team this summer, playing in a World Cup qualifying tournament in Nicaragua in June.
August 22, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Galbraith Earns National Recognition, Rebels Ranked In West Region

Junior Amanda Galbraith one of 11 players named to Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week, Rebels rank 14th in United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll

 

Aug. 22, 2017

 
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The honors keep rolling in for UNLV women’s Soccer as Amanda Galbraith was named to Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week and the Rebels were ranked 14th overall in the West Region by United Soccer Coaches.
Galbraith, a forward from Petaluma, California, scored two goals and registered two assists in wins over Drake and Wright State on opening weekend and was awarded the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in her career.
The United Soccer Coaches, formerly known as the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), has reorganized its weekly national and regional rankings after rebranding in early August. The organization continues to release a weekly national top-25, but has pared down its regional rankings to include 15 teams ranked in each of the five different regions (East, Midwest, South, Southeast, West). After appearing in the Pacific Region poll last season from Oct. 10 through the end of the season, the Rebels were ranked No. 14 in the first West Region poll Tuesday.
UNLV has started the season 2-0 for the second straight year and for the third time in four years under head coach Chris Shaw. After the first weekend of play, the Rebels boast a top-10 offense in the country, ranking tied for eighth in total goals (8) and total points (25) and tied for sixth in total assists. Individually, Galbraith ranks tied for 13th in the country in total points (6).
UNLV will be home for the second consecutive weekend, taking on Utah Valley Friday, August 25 at 7 p.m. and Southern Utah on Sunday, August 27 at 1 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field. To purchase tickets visit UNLVtickets.com. Season tickets are just $35 for adults, $25 for UNLV faculty/staff and seniors. Single game ticket prices this season are $8 for adults, $6 for faculty/staff and seniors, though a special internet price of $5 is available for all tickets bought online, good up to three hours before game time. Kids 12 and under are always free at UNLV women’s soccer contests.
August 21, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Musovski Named Preseason All-America

Senior forward was named to College Soccer News’ 2nd team and Top Drawer Soccer’s 3rd team.

Aug. 21, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV men’s soccer’s Danny Musovski keeps picking up honors, as he was named to a pair of preseason All-America teams over the weekend. College Soccer News has Musovski on its preseason All-America second team, while he is a third-team selection for the Top Drawer Soccer Best XI.

Musovski, a senior forward and native of Las Vegas, has already been named the Preseason WAC Offensive Player of the Year, and is one of 28 players on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List, for the award given out to the top college soccer player in the nation. After missing five games in the non-conference season in 2016 with a leg injury, Musovski came back strong to post 12 goals and six assists en route to a 30-point season. That was just three points off his career-high 33-point season in his sophomore campaign during which he was a second-team All-America (United Soccer Coaches) as well as the 2015 WAC Offensive Player of the Year.

The Rebels, preseason favorites to repeat as WAC Champions, will open the season on the road this Friday at Portland at 7 pm. The Pilots come into the season ranked 15th in the Top Drawer Soccer preseason poll. Live stats and a live video stream of the game will be available through links on UNLVRebels.com.

August 21, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Galbraith Nabs Mountain West Player Of The Week Honor

Junior transfer Amanda Galbraith earns the league’s Offensive Player of the Week award after scoring two goals to go along with a pair of assists in two Rebel wins over the weekend.

 

Aug. 21, 2017

 
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer junior Amanda Galbraith wasted no time making an impact in her first weekend as a Rebel as she was named the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week, announced by the league office Monday. The forward scored two goals and added two assists to help the Rebels go 2-0 on opening weekend at home in the UNLV Invitational.

Galbraith, a Petaluma, California, native, transferred to UNLV after two years at Santa Rosa Junior College in Santa Rosa, California, and earned a starting spot up front during preseason training. In Friday’s 3-0 season-opening win over Drake, Galbraith had as good a cross as there is in collegiate soccer, sending it from the right corner to the front of the goal, where teammate Michaela Morris got her head on it for the goal and a 2-0 lead late in the game. Galbraith followed that with a two-goal, one-assist performance that propelled the Rebels to a 4-0 lead just 11 minutes into Sunday’s match against Wright State.

Her first goal came in the third minute when she received a cross from defender Paige Almendariz, took a touch and a quick turn and found the back of the net. Six minutes later, it was Georgia Kingman sending in the cross to Galbraith, who slid the ball right past the keeper to put the Rebels up 3-0. Galbraith wasn’t done yet. On the ensuing kickoff she found herself with the ball about 40 yards out from the goal and no one challenging her and lofted a ball over the Wright State back line to a streaking Cortes, who easily finished the goal for the 4-0 lead just shy of the 11 minute mark. Galbraith was named the UNLV Invitational’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player and was a member of the All-Tournament team.

This is her first career league honor and is UNLV’s 48th overall.

The Rebels (2-0) are back in action at home for the second straight weekend, hosting Utah Valley Friday, August 25 and Southern Utah Sunday, August 27 at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
August 21, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels’ Offense Stays Hot in 5-1 Win Over Wright State

The Rebels scored four goals in the first 11 minutes of the game to go 2-0 on opening weekend at the UNLV Invitational.

 

Aug. 20, 2017

Box Score

 
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer’s offense stayed hot Sunday as the Rebels scored four goals in the first 11 minutes of the game en route to a 5-1 win over Wright State at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The dominant performance helped UNLV win its own invitational and start the season 2-0 for the second straight year.
After a scoreless first 65 minutes of the season, the Rebels scored seven goals over the next 36 minutes between Friday’s second half and Sunday’s flurry of goals to begin the game. Dating back to last season, the Rebels are now unbeaten in 12 straight regular season contests and have gone undefeated on opening weekend three out of the last four years since head coach Chris Shaw took over.
Junior college transfer Amanda Galbraith had a big day in her second career game as a Rebel, netting two goals and picking up an assist on a third. Through the first two games, the Rebels’ transfers – Galbraith and Caitlyn Kruetz – have already played a big part in replacing the offensive production lost from last year, combining for three goals and two assists. Senior Sophie Cortes, the Rebels’ engine in the midfield, added a goal and two assists as well.
THE TURNING POINT: In the third minute, sophomore defender Paige Almendariz and Galbraith connected for goal number one, with Almendariz sending a cross from the left side to Galbraith in front of the goal. Galbraith took one touch, made a quick turn and buried the ball in the left corner to put the Rebels up 1-0. Less than two minutes later, redshirt sophomore Michaela Morris nabbed her second goal in as many games after receiving a pass from Cortes, dribbling through the Raider defense and slapping one past the Wright State keeper. UNLV wasn’t done yet. Keeping the pressure on, sophomore midfielder Georgia Kingman sent another cross from the left side to Galbraith in the middle, who made another great move in front of the goal and finished it into the net to get her second goal just shy of the 10 minute mark. On the ensuing kick off, Galbraith found herself with the ball again, this time about 40 yards out, and lofted the ball over the Wright State back line to a streaking Cortes, who took a couple touches and slotted the ball past the goalie for the fourth goal.
STAT OF THE GAME: The Rebels out-shot the Bulldogs 30-8, scoring five goals on five assists. For the second-straight game, UNLV allowed single-digit shots.
REBEL OF THE GAME: After registering an assist Friday night, Galbraith scored her first two goals as a Rebel and added an assist on the beautiful ball to Cortes.
QUOTABLE:

On the four quick goals to start the game:

“We talked about getting off to a good start because of the heat and Wright State being from Ohio and not being used to it. Honestly, I didn’t expect a four goal output in first 11 minutes, but we are very excited about that.”

On transfers Galbraith and Kruetz:

“We had high expectations of both Amanda and Caitlyn. We knew with what we lost from last year, we needed to find a way to replace those goals, thats why we brought them in. Amanda coming in from junior college is a big jump, but she’s a quality soccer player and our preseason training environment allowed her to play at the faster pace.”

REBEL NOTES: 
* The Rebels won their first two games of the season for the third year out of four under Shaw.
* Dating back to last season, the Rebels are unbeaten in 12 straight regular season contests.
* Eight goals in the first two games is the second-most under Shaw. UNLV scored nine in that span last season.
* Senior keeper Jordan Sallee picked up her second win in as many games, making four saves.
* Freshman Robin Pollard scored her first career goal in the 82nd minute on an assist from Cortes.
* The tournament honors for the UNLV Invitational include:

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebels will be home again next weekend, taking on Utah Valley Friday night at 7 p.m. and Southern Utah Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field. Purchase tickets at unlvtickets.com.
August 19, 2017 In Announcements, General, Recaps

Second Half Explosion Lifts Rebels to Season-Opening Victory

The Rebels netted three second-half goals to beat Drake 3-0 at home Friday night in their 2017 season-opener.
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – The defending Mountain West champions opened the 2017 season in style Friday night with a 3-0 rout of Drake in front of a large and rowdy crowd at Peter Johann Memorial Field. Three second-half goals proved to be the difference as the Rebels won their season-opener for the seventh straight year.
UNLV seemed to pick up right where they left off last season when they had one of the most prolific offenses in program history. Friday’s offensive output was a welcome sight as the Rebels try to replace the trio of Lily Sender, Jordan Magnin and Susie Bernal, who combined for 25 goals and 25 assists a year ago. Junior transfers Amanda Galbraith and Caitlyn Kreutz stepped right into the starting lineup and made an immediate impact, with Galbraith registering an assist and Kreutz netting her first goal as a Rebel.
THE TURNING POINT: After the first 50 minutes went scoreless between the Rebels and Bulldogs, a handball by Drake gave UNLV a free kick in their own third of the field. Sophomore Katie Ballou received a quick touch, made the turn and found Courtney Anderson, who gave it back to a breaking Ballou. With no one coming to challenge Ballou, she blasted the ball from 35 yards out and it sailed right below the cross bar to put UNLV up 1-0.
STAT OF THE GAME: Three different Rebels (Katie Ballou 52′, Micheala Morris 66′, Caitlyn Kreutz 88′) scored goals on four assists while the Rebels out-shot the Bulldogs 17-9.
REBEL OF THE GAME: Ballou entered the game midway through the first half and settled down a Rebel squad that seemed jittery through the first 20 minutes. Her perfect strike from well beyond the 18-yard box was a thing of beauty.
QUOTABLE:
“Overall, I’m pleased with the result and the performance. It was tough for us because this was our very taste of soccer this year and Drake was coming in off of two exhibitions, so we were a little jittery the first 20 minutes, but once we got to the water break and put Katie (Ballou) in, she settled things. We knew we weren’t going to be a finished product on day one with so many new faces and this integration of new players, but 3-0 first game of the year, couldn’t ask for a better result.” – Head Coach Chris Shaw
REBEL NOTES: 
* The Rebels won their season-opener for the seventh straight year and have won all four season-openers under Shaw.
* Dating back to last season, the Rebels are unbeaten in 11-straight regular season contests.
* Michaela Morris scored in a season-opener for the second-consecutive year.
* Senior keeper Jordan Sallee played all 90 minutes, making two saves.
* Caitlyn Kreutz scored her first career goal in the 88th minute.
NEXT FOR THE REBELS: The Rebels will wrap up the UNLV Invitational Sunday, August 20 against Wright State at 1 p.m. at Peter Johann Memorial Field. Drake and Weber State will face off in the first game of the day at 10:30 a.m.