Rebels Wrap Up Non-Conference Slate With 2-1 Win Over UC Riverside

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – After four straight games on the road, UNLV women’s soccer returned home Sunday afternoon to wrap up its non-conference schedule against UC Riverside at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels used a pair of second-half goals from senior Sophie Cortes and junior Amanda Galbraith to edge out the Highlanders 2-1 and improve to 8-1 on the season.

With the victory, UNLV extends its winning streak to four games – its second such streak of 2017 – and finishes non-league play undefeated at home at 5-0. The 8-1 record is also the best non-conference winning percentage and best start through the first nine games in program history.

Cortes finished the weekend with three goals to bring her season total to seven, setting a new career high. The midfielder’s stellar senior season continues as she now leads the Mountain West in goals, shots (30) and points (18) in addition to be tied for first in assists with four.

THE TURNING POINT: After a scoreless first half, the Rebels took the lead on Cortes’ penalty kick in the 47th minute and seemed to grab the momentum, but the Highlanders responded with the tying goal in the 58th minute. With 15 minutes to play, sophomore Paige Almendariz sent a perfect long ball cross over the top of the UCR defense, right to a streaking Galbraith, who took one dribble and slotted it in the left corner of the goal with a left-footed shot for the game-winner.

STAT OF THE GAME: For the second straight game the Rebels were out-shot, this time 13-9, but still managed to win the game. Prior to Friday’s win at CSU Bakersfield, UNLV had lost the last two games it was on the losing end of that category dating back to last season.

REBEL OF THE GAME: Galbraith notched her second game-winner of the season and her fourth goal overall, which good for second on the team behind Cortes.

QUOTABLE:

“It was not one of our better performances. (UC) Riverside is scrappy, physical team and they threw us off our game a little bit. Sunday games are always hard, especially coming off a road game on Friday and playing at a different time than normal, just got us out of our normal routine. But we found a way to get a win even though we didn’t have our best performance and I think that is indicative of the character of this squad.” -Head Coach Chris Shaw

REBEL NOTES:
* The Rebels are 8-1 through the first nine games for the first time in program history

* UNLV finishes its non-conference slate with a .889 winning percentage – also a program-best against non-league opponents in a season

* UNLV currently has a four-game winning streak, its second one of the season

* Cortes and Galbraith not only provided the offense in the game, they have been the leaders in the attack this season, combining for 11 goals and eight assists on the year

* Rebels have 21 goals on 20 assists this year and are on pace to break the goals and assists records of 51 and 50 set just last year