General

August 31, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels On The Road Again Friday At New Mexico

UNLV is looking for its first win in Albuquerque since 2003.

 

Aug. 31, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com)

UNLV and New Mexico will be facing each other in men’s soccer for the first time since the two were rivals in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation back in the 2012 season when the teams face off Friday night in Albuquerque, New Mexico in a 6 pm (PT) contest. The 17th-ranked Rebels come in at 1-1 thanks to their 3-2 last-second double-overtime win at then No. 15 Portland in the season opener. The Lobos meanwhile started the year ranked in the top 20, but dropped a pair of one-goal games, both on the road.

A live video stream of the contest will be shown on the Mountain West Network, which can be accessed at UNLVRebels.com.

The Rebels will then return home to host Pacific in their home opener Friday, Sept. 8. The annual Alumni game is also set for that date as well, starting at 4:00 pm. It’s also a RED OUT night for the Rebels. There will be free t-shirts for the first 125 fans, while UNLV Faculty/Staff will receive four free tickets each and a free BBQ sandwich. Prior to the contest, from 5-6:30 pm, the UNLV Soccer Foundation will hold a free tailgate party, with free food, drinks and music. Admission is free to all ticketed fans.

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 #3
#17 UNLV (1-1-0, 0-0-0) at New Mexico (0-2-0)
Friday, Sept. 1 – 6 pm (PT) – Albuquerque, N.M. (UNM Soccer Complex)
Live Stats – Live Video

August 31, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Rebels Hit The Road For The First Time in 2017

UNLV heads to Northern California for a Friday match at Sacramento State and a Sunday contest at UC Davis.

 

Aug. 31, 2017

 
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer stayed perfect through the first two weeks of the season with wins over Utah Valley and Southern Utah to wrap up a 4-0 homestand to begin the year. The Rebels will head out on the road for the first time in 2017, traveling to Northern California for a pair of contests against Sacramento State on Friday, September 1 at 2:30 p.m. PT and UC Davis on Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m. PT. Both matches will be live streamed. Visit unlvrebels.com for details.

UNLV (4-0) at Sacramento State (2-1)
Friday, Sept. 1 
2:30 p.m. PT | Hornet Field | Sacramento
UNLV leads the all-time series 2-1-0
 
UNLV (4-0) at UC Davis (0-4)
Sunday, Sept. 3 
1 p.m. | Aggie Soccer Field | Davis
All-time series tied 1-1

Last weekend’s victories didn’t come without some drama as it took a golden header goal by senior star Chidera Akubuilo with less than three minutes remaining in double overtime to beat UVU Friday night. Sunday’s win against Southern Utah came a little easier at 3-1, but head coach Chris Shaw knows they need to continue to improve before they get into conference play.

The 4-0 start matches a program-best that was set just a year ago by the reigning Mountain West Champions. The two wins also extends the Rebels’ regular season unbeaten streak to 14, dating back to last year. While Akubuilo was the hero in Friday’s win, fellow senior Sophie Cortes was the team’s MVP over the weekend, scoring three goals in the two games to earn her first career Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honor. After the Rebels went down 1-0 three minutes into Friday’s match against UVU, Cortes evened the score in the 17th minute, setting up the opportunity for overtime and Akubuilo’s game-winning score. In Sunday’s contest against SUU, Cortes scored goals 13 minutes apart, which ultimately proved to be the difference in the 3-1 game.

In addition to Cortes’ conference honor, Akubuilo was tabbed a Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week selection. The Rebels also appeared in the United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll for the second straight week, coming in at No. 15.

SCOUTING THE COMPETITION 

  • Sacramento State enters Friday’s match at 2-1 after three hard-fought games to start the year, including two overtime contests in its last two games. After a 2-1 win to open the season against St. Mary’s, the Hornets lost a 3-2 double OT heartbreaker to Nevada, Reno, but bounced back with a 2-1 overtime win over Fresno State. The Rebels and Hornets last met in 2013, with UNLV coming out on top 1-0 in OT in Sacramento.
  • UC Davis goes into the weekend looking for its first win of 2017 after facing a tough slate the first two weeks, with losses to No. 3 and defending national champion USC, San Diego State, Portland and No. 19 California. UC Davis has also only managed one goal through four games. The Rebels and the Aggies are facing off for the first time since 2011, when UC Davis won at home 2-0.

STATISTICAL RANKINGS

  • NCAA: The Rebels currently boast a top-10 offense in the country, ranking tied for fourth in total goals (13), fifth in total points (39) and tied for sixth in total assists (13). Individually, Sophie Cortes is tied for second in the country in total points (11) and tied for eighth in points per game (2.75)
  • Mountain West: The Rebels lead the MW in nearly very major statistical category, including goals, points, assists and tied for first in goals-against-average (.75), while they are second in shots (85)

NEWS & NOTES

  • UNLV started the season 4-0 for the second straight season, matching the program-best start set just a year ago.
  • Dating back to last season, UNLV is unbeaten in 14-straight regular season games.
  • For the second consecutive week, UNLV nabbed the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week award of the year with Cortes earning her first career honor after a three-goal performance.
  • Cortes has been stellar through the first two weeks, already matching her goal output from a year ago with four to go along with three assists. Her 11 points rank tied for second in the country.
  • Akubuilo earned Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week recognition after another weekend of leading the UNLV back line and scoring the golden header goal in double OT to beat Utah Valley.
  • The Rebels are the only Mountain West team still undefeated through the first two weeks.
  • For the second straight week, the Rebels appeared in the United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll, coming in at No. 15.
  • Chris Shaw is in his fourth year with a 40-22-5 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.
  • 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. 32 on the site’s Women’s Collegiate Top 100.
  • The Rebels return two All-Conference First Team selections in Akubuilo and Cortes, a second team selection in Jordan Sallee and two Mountain West All-Newcomer team selections in Paige Almendarizand 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.
August 29, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight, Updates

Rebels Drop Overtime Road Contest At Oregon State 1-0

UNLV will play a third straight road game on Friday at New Mexico.

 

Aug. 28, 2017

CORVALLIS, Ore. (UNLVRebels.com) 

Just three days after opening the season with a last second double-overtime victory, the 17th-ranked UNLV men’s soccer team again went to extra time on Monday, but this time the Rebels were the ones on the wrong side of the scoreboard after Oregon State slipped in a shot in the 91st minute. That gave the Beavers a 1-0 victory over the Rebels, moving both teams to 1-1 on the season.

THE TURNING POINT: Oregon State sent a shot towards the center of the goal that Rebel goalkeeper Enrique Adame was able to deflect to the right. However, Jordan Jones collected the ball on the post, slipped off a Rebel defender and sent a low shot that banged through the feet of another Rebel defender before it was stopped just over the goal line, resulting in the score.

STAT OF THE GAME: UNLV was limited to just three shots in the first half, and only two total on goal for the afternoon.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Kevin Partida, finished with one shot, was directing the Rebels’ efforts from the midfield against the Beavers.

QUOTABLE: “Disappointing after the win we had on Friday, to not get the result in OT. I thought the guys looked a little fatigued, I don’t feel that we were as sharp as I would have liked to have seen us.” – Head Coach Rich Ryerson.

REBEL NOTES: 
* The Rebels were held scoreless in a regular-season game for the first time since a 2-0 loss at Gonzaga Sept. 23, 2016.
* Just hours before the game, UNLV received its highest national ranking since 1992, as the Rebels are 17th in this week’s Top Drawer Soccer Top 25 Poll. They moved in following the 3-2 double-overtime win over then No. 15 Portland to open the season on Aug. 25.
* UNLV’s two games this weekend were part of the Hensor/Zaher Nike Classic. Named to the all-tournament team from UNLV were Danny Musovski, Daniel Moran and Marco Gonzalez.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS: UNLV will play a third straight game on the road when it takes on former MPSF rival New Mexico on Friday at 6 pm in Albuquerque.

August 29, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Akubuilo Earns National Honor, Rebels Remain Ranked in West Region

Senior Chidera Akubuilo is one of 11 players named to Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week, Rebels ranked 15th in United Soccer Coaches’ West Region poll.

Aug. 29, 2017


LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – For the second straight week, UNLV women’s soccer made an appearance on Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week as senior Chidera Akubuilo was one of three defenders honored on the 11 player squad. The Rebels also remained in the polls, ranking 15th overall in the West Region by United Soccer Coaches.Akubuilo, from Torrance, California, was her usual stout self on UNLV’s back line, helping the Rebels stay unbeaten with home wins over Utah Valley and Southern Utah over the weekend. The senior also added some offensive heroics, scoring a header golden goal with less than three minutes remaining in double overtime to lift UNLV to a 2-1 win over Utah Valley.

After ranking 14th in the United Soccer Coaches West Region poll last week, the Rebels remained in the poll, dropping one spot to 15.

UNLV’s 4-0 record through the first two weeks of the season matches the program-best start set just a year ago. The Rebels will be on the road this weekend for the first time in 2017, taking on Sacramento State Friday, September 1 at 2:30 pm. PT and UC Davis on Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m.

August 29, 2017 In Announcements, General, Spotlight

Cortes Named Mountain West Player of the Week

Senior Sophie Cortes nabs league’s Offensive Player of the Week honor after scoring three goals in pair of UNLV wins.

 

Aug. 28, 2017

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV women’s soccer captured the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honor for the second straight week as senior Sophie Cortes earned the award after a three-goal performance over the weekend. The midfielder’s play helped the Rebels improve to 4-0, matching the program-best start set just a year ago.

Cortes, a Newhall, California, native, became a full-time starter in 2016 and has been the engine in the UNLV attack this season. In Friday’s match against Utah Valley, the Rebels found themselves in a 1-0 hole three minutes into the game, but Cortes didn’t let it stay like that for long, tying it up at one in the 17th minute. UNLV went on to win the game with under three minutes remaining in double overtime on a header golden goal by fellow senior Chidera Akubuilo. In Sunday’s contest with Southern Utah, Cortes scored two goals 13 minutes apart to put the Rebels up 3-0 just after halftime, with the two scores ultimately providing the final margin of victory in the 3-1 win. After scoring four goals and registering six assists all of last year, the senior has already scored four goals and collected three assists through the first two weeks.

This is Cortes’ first career league honor and is UNLV’s 49th overall.

The Rebels (4-0) are heading out on the road for the first time in 2017, traveling to Northern California to face Sacramento State on Friday, September 1 at 2:30 p.m. PT and UC Davis on Sunday, September 3 at 1 p.m. PT.

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.