University of Nevada Las Vegas
Gonzaga
9/19/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 19, 1999
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV men?s soccer team shocked #18 Gonzaga by scoring the match?s winning goal with just :41 left in regulation, propelling them to a 4-3 victory Sunday at Johann Field.
The Rebels? Matt Thompson (Mustang, OK) tested Bulldog keeper Chad Beadel with a straight shot in the last minute. Beadel lost a handle on the shot, which dribbled off his hands and between his legs for the game-winning goal.
Thompson also had a hand in the Rebels? first goal of the game. He served a free kick in front of the goal, which Jason Melendez (Lakewood, CA/Mayfair) headed high into the air. On the ball?s descent, defender Reggie Bolden (Jacksonville, AR/Mills) leaped and inverted himself, driving the ball in on a bicycle kick in the 29th minute.
Each time the Bulldogs would fight back with a goal, UNLV answered the call, reclaiming the lead within a minute following each of Gonzaga?s first two goals. Freshman Tuomas Talvio (Helsinki, Finland) and senior B.J. McNicol (Centerville, UT/Viewmont) each added their second goals of the year.
Down 3-2, Gonzaga again rallied for a tying goal when Zach Scott chipped a free kick over a UNLV wall and past Ryan Bledsoe (Las Vegas, NV/Eldorado) at 78:30. The game was headed for an apparent overtime when Thompson surprised Beadel for the game-winner.
Bolden, who made his first career start in the tournament?s opener Friday against UMBC, was named the Best Defensive Player of the tournament.
Sunday?s match concludes a six-game home stand for the Rebels who will test their 3-4-0 record at the UNM Invitational in Albuquerque, NM next weekend.
UMBC 2, San Diego State 0
After a scoreless first half, Giuliano Celenza ended the monotony, scoring from the left side on Ty Engram?s pass. Celenza, who also scored the only goal in the Retrievers 1-0 win over UNLV Friday, earned tournament Most Valuable Player honors while Engram was chosen as the Best Offensive Player.
Engram put the match out of reach at 80:31, scoring on Matt Gormley?s pass. Brian Rowland recorded the shutout.
The Retrievers improve to 6-0-0 on the year while SDSU drops to 2-4-0.
