Aug. 29, 2000
This Week: UNLV FILA/Snickers Rebel Classic
Fri. Sept. 1, Ohio State, Johann Field 7:00 p.m.
Sun. Sept. 3, Notre Dame, Johann Field 12:00 p.m.
Storyline:
The UNLV men's soccer team kicks off the 2000 regular season Friday night in the first round of the UNLV Fila/Snickers Rebel Classic at Peter Johann Field against Big Ten foe Ohio State, the other game matches Notre Dame against New Mexico ... the Rebels completed two exhibition matches last weekend, where they defeated Master's College 1-0 on a penalty kick in the 88th minute by Jason Melendez. On Sunday, head coach Barto made a lot of substitutions in the final preseason game to see how he would start things this weekend ... showing a lot of poise, the Rebels in rallyied from a 3-2 deficit in the second half to tie Grand Canyon 3-3 ... the Rebels competed in four tournaments last season, finishing with a 4-4 record ... UNLV finished the 1999 season with a 7-11-0 record and 2-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation ... eight starters return from last season's squad, including Melendez, who led the team in scoring (20), goals (8) and assists (4) and was named to the MPSF second team.
UNLV Head Coach:
Barry Barto: The winningest coach in the history of Rebel soccer, Barto begins his 19th season at the helm of the UNLV men's program and his fourth as the school's Director of Soccer ... he has a record of 177-137-34 (.557) at UNLV and a career record of 262-162-40 (.608) in 24 years of coaching ... since his arrival in 1982, Barto has built Rebel soccer into a nationally recognized program, with five NCAA tournament appearances ... he recorded his 250th career win on Oct. 6, 1998 with the team's victory over St. Mary's.
About Ohio State:
The Buckeyes enter the 2000 season coming off a 2-0 win over West Virginia in an preseason exhibition game on the road ... Ohio State finished the 1999 season with a 11-8 record and 3-2 in the Big Ten, with eight starters returning for coach John Bluem who enters his fourth year at OSU ... Big Ten Freshman of the Year, John Tomaino who led the team is scoring, goals and assists also returns along with 5th year senior, Brooks Humphreys.
About Notre Dame:
The Irish visit UNLV coming off exhibition victories against Loyola (Chicago), 1-0, and rallied from a 3-2 deficit against Akron, 4-3 ... head coach Chris Apple will make his Notre Dame coaching debut against the Rebels on Sunday ... Notre Dame returns eight starters from last year's 8-9-3 and 4-5 in the Big East squad including sophomore Eric Braun who was the Big East Rookie of the Year last year, leading the team in scoring, goals and assists he also was named NSCAA All-Mideast third team ... sophomore Alan Lyskawa also returns this season ... Lyskawa finished the 1999 campaign with two goals, four assists and eight points.
