Sept. 7, 1999
Storyline: The UNLV men?s soccer team hosts a tournament for the second straight weekend, with Detroit Mercy, #16 Washington and #7 SMU coming to town for the Snickers/FILA Rebel Classic. The Rebels, 1-2-0, are looking for their first tournament championship of the season after dropping a 1-0 decision to Kentucky in the championship game of the Coors Rebel Classic last Sunday. The last time UNLV faced a ranked opponent was Nov. 6, 1998 when they played #16 SMU, dropping a 2-1 match at home.
About Detroit: The Titans will enter Friday?s match 1-2-0 after a busy opening week ... after an opening 5-0 loss to Oakland, UDM split matches at the Bowling Green Tournament, defeating DePaul 4-3 and falling to Western Kentucky 3-1 ... head coach Morris Lupenec brings an overall record of 73-53-18 in seven years of coaching, all at UDM ... this will be the first meeting between the Rebels and the Titans.
About Washington: The Huskies enter the week at 2-0-1, sweeping their opponents in the Adidas Portland Invitational last weekend ... They defeated Evansville 2-1 and Marquette 1-0 to finish second in the tournament ... following a 2-2 tie against Gonzaga last Wednesday, the Huskies dropped two places in this week?s Soccer America poll to 16th ... the Rebels have faced UW six times in history, with an even 2-2-2 slate ... Washington head coach Dean Wurzberger is 94-30-17 in his eighth year with the Huskies and 102-38-22 overall in his ninth year of coaching.
UNLV Head Coach Barry Barto: The winningest coach in the history of Rebel soccer, Barto begins his 18th season at the helm of the UNLV men?s program and his third as the school?s Director of Soccer ... he has a record of 171-128-34 (.565) at UNLV and a career record of 256-153-40 (.615) in his 24th year ... since his arrival in 1982, Barto has built Rebel soccer into a nationally recognized program, with five NCAA tournament appearances ... Barto is currently 25th in coaching victories (255) in Division I soccer history and is 17th among active Division I coaches ... he recorded his 250th career win last October 6 with the team?s victory over St. Mary?s.
Noting Last Week: San Diego 3, UNLV 1 - Despite a 1-2 record last week, UNLV looked good for the season?s beginning. In their match at San Diego, the Toreros broke a 1-1 tie in the 85th minute with the game-winning goal. With five minutes to play, the Rebels pressed all 10 fielders forward in hopes for a tying goal. Instead, USD?s Sy Reeves lofted a pass over the back line for teammate Levi Parker, who scored on a breakaway.
UNLV 2, West Virginia 1 - Returning home, the Rebels showed a lot of poise in their win over West Virginia, overcoming a 1-0 deficit in the second half. UNLV?s freshman trio of Paul Dickinson (Brisbane, Australia), Ryan Cariss (Temecula, CA) and Tuomas Talvio (Helsinki, Finland) all turned in solid performances in their home debut. Dickinson scored on a penalty kick in the 74th minute and the latter two set up Jason Melendez for the game winner.
Kentucky 1, UNLV 0 - Kentucky goalkeeper Brian O?Leary shut out UNLV in Sunday?s match to earn Best Defensive Player honors in the Coors Rebel Classic. Despite a good game in which the Rebels fired off 12 shots, they could not beat O?Leary or the UK defense and lost 1-0. Aside from the lone Wildcat goal, the defense played well, stopping ten UK shots.
Rebels Get 100th win at Johann Field: In their first home match of the year, the Rebels were successful in their bid for 100, defeating West Virginia 2-1. Since the on-campus playing surface was built in 1982, UNLV has gone 100-57-18 (.623) at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The win over the Mountaineers also snapped a home losing skid of six games from last year.
Ackah Shines In Starting Opportunity: Sophomore goalkeeper Bojo Ackah (Agoura, CA/Cascade College) earned his first career start in the home opener against West Virginia. Ackah had been the Rebels #2 keeper, but was moved into the starting lineup after a groin injury to Ryan Bledsoe (Las Vegas, NV/Eldorado HS). Ackah, who had played in just 142 minutes prior to Friday, earned his first career win after holding the WVU to just one goal and making two saves. He leads the team with 139 minutes in goal and a 1.94 goals against average this season.
A Family Affair: The 1999 UNLV men?s soccer team is one big happy family, literally. The roster features two sets of brothers. Victoria, BC, Canada products Andrew and Ben Hooker are in their second season at UNLV. Kevin Lunkwitz comes off a redshirt year to join his brother Paul on the sidelines. And of course, Geoff Barto returns for his senior season under his father, coach Barry Barto. However, Geoff isn?t the only Barto to don the scarlet and gray this year. He has two sisters who also compete for UNLV varsity athletic teams. Katie, 20, is on the Rebel track and cross country teams while Jaime, 18, is a freshman on the Rebels? women?s soccer squad.
Up Next: Following this week?s tournament, the Rebels play host to one final invitational. Maryland-Baltimore County, San Diego State and Gonzaga will come to Las Vegas for the Coors Light Soccer Classic, Sept. 17-19 at Johann Field.
