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

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:

• Most Outstanding Player: Sophie Cortes, UNLV
• Most Outstanding Offensive Player: Amanda Galbraith, UNLV
• Most Outstanding Defensive Player: Chidera Akubuilo, UNLV
• Most Outstanding Goalkeeper: Jordan Sallee, UNLV
• All Tournament Team: UNLV: Sophie Cortes, Michaela Morris, Chidera Akubuilo, Amanda Galbraith; Wright State: Niki Romero, Sarah Colvin, Aaliyah Patten; Drake: Rebecca Rodgers, Alyssa Brand, Rachel Wanninger; Weber State: Chansi Crompton

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.