Oct. 28, 2000

Box Score

Irvine, Calif. - The UNLV men's soccer team defeated UC Irvine in a crucial Mountain Pacific Sports Federation match on Friday night. The Rebels improve to 9-6-1 on the year and 3-2 in the MPSF, keeping their hopes of clinching a spot in the four team conference tournament alive in Fullerton, Calif. on Nov. 12.

UNLV got of to an early lead as senior Matt Thompson knocked one home on his free-kick just over three minutes into the match. The Anteaters responded, equalizing the match at one in the 333rd minute as Lawrence Smalls beat Rebel keeper, sophomore Scott Winstead. The match remained tied at one going into halftime.

UC Irvine (10-6-1) scored the go-ahead goal at 59:22 when Sabastian Galmarini and Brad Aspey hooked up for the score. The Rebels showed great poise, making a late rally to tie the match at two at 73:21 when junior Jason Melendez booted in his team leading eighth goal of the season. The score remained tied at the end of regulation.

This marks the fifth match of the season that has needed extra time to decided the winner. Coming into the match, the Rebels had a 0-3-1 record in overtime this season.

Junior Tuomas Talvio headed in his sixth goal of the season and the third game winner of the season for Talvio in the 96th minute. Junior Tyler Turchi added his team leading sixth assist on the season.

The Rebels travel to San Diego State on Sunday for another MPSF match with tournament implications. UNLV will return home on Nov. 5 for the regular season finale against New Mexico at noon.