September 2, 1998
LAS VEGAS -- The 1998 edition of the Rebel men's soccer team is ready to take the field this weekend as it hosts the Coors Light Classic Friday and Sunday at Peter Johann Memorial Field ... UNLV takes on Sacramento State in first round action Friday at 7:00 pm, followed immediately by St. Mary's vs. Texas Christian ... Sunday, the Rebels take on St. Mary's and Sacramento State faces TCU.
Coors Light Classic Tournament Schedule:Friday, Sept.4 Sacramento State vs. UNLV 7:00pm St. Mary's vs. TCU 9:00pmSunday, Sept. 6 St. Mary's vs. UNLV 12:00pm Sacramento State vs. TCU 2:00pm
UNLV Opponents: Sacramento State -- This is only the second meeting between the Rebels and the Hornets ... The two teams first met in 1994 when Sacramento State won a 7-4 decision on UNLV's home turf ... The Hornets compiled a 4-14 overall record last season ... They are led by their returning scoring leader of a year ago, sophomore Sean Lockhart (five goals, one assist, 11 points)
St. Mary's -- The Rebels own a 6-0-0 record against the Gaels ... Their last meeting was in 1994 when UNLV escaped with a 1-0 victory ... The Gaels had a 8-9-0 record last season and will have to do without last year's leading scorer, Devin Ebright (27 points) ... Senior midfielder Ali-John Utush is the leading returning scorer as he finished last season with two goals and seven assists (11 points).
Head Coach Barry Barto: The winningest coach in the history of Rebel soccer, Barry Barto enters his 17th season at the helm of the UNLV men's program and his second as the director of soccer ... Arriving in Las Vegas in 1982, Barto has built Rebel soccer into a nationally recognized program, having made five NCAA tournament appearances and posting a winning record in 11 of his 16 seasons ... He now will use this experience in helping build a women's program that will be headed by first-year coach Staci Hendershott ... Barto is currently 25th in victories (248) in Division I soccer history and is 17th among active Div. 1-A coaches.
What to Expect from the Rebels in 1998: The Rebels return eight starters from the 1997 squad that went 5-11-2 and 2-5-1 in the Western Athletic Conference (7th place) ... This year Coach Barto is hoping that the offense steps up after a year thatsaw them finish seventh in the WAC in scoring (32 points) ... The Rebels fared well last season when they scored first, going 5-1-1 when jumping to the early lead ... In contrast, UNLV was winless (0-10-1) when opponents scored first ... With a solid defensive unit returning and a revamped offense the one question mark that remains isgoalkeeping duties ... Three players will vie for starting duties in the net and chances are more than one will see significant playing time this season ... Freshman redshirt Robert Ackah and sophomore transfers Ryan Bledsoe and Russell Miller all will have a chance to win the starting nod.
All-WAC Selection Michael Griego Returns for his Senior Year: Michael Griego, a two-time First-Team All-WAC selection will return for his final season with the Rebels ... Griego has an opportunity to make a mark in a number of categories in the Rebel annals before his collegiate career concludes, including goals, where he is currently tied for 10th place with 20 ... This season will see Griego take on a different role ... When the Rebels suit up for their first game against Sacramento State Griego will be playing in the backfield as a sweeper ... While he has been one of the Rebels' biggest scoring threats in his first three collegiate seasons, his knowledge of the system will be a value to the relatively young backfield.
