Oct. 26, 2003

Box Score

LAS VEGAS - Sacramento State took advantage of a UNLV own goal in the first half and held off a furious rally in the closing minutes of the game to claim a 3-2 victory over the Rebels in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's soccer action on Sunday afternoon from Peter Johann Field. UNLV fell to 4-11 and 1-3 in the conference on their Senior Day, while the Hornets improved to 5-9-1 for the year, and evened their MPSF record to 2-2.

Ismael Echeverria opened the scoring for Sacramento State, as he collected a loose ball in the box and sent a shot to the left post for a 1-0 lead at the 18:40 mark. The advantage would increase to 2-0 at the 35:50 mark when UNLV's Kristian Paanamen attempted to pass the ball back to goalie Peter Clitheroe, but the pass was too fast and would go past Clitheroe into the net for an own goal.

The Hornets looked to have sealed the game with a third score at the 48:50 mark, when Eric Ortiz drove down the left side and passed back into the middle of the box to Kris McAlavey, who scored on a shot to the left post for a 3-0 lead. UNLV wouldn't go away however, and drew a penalty kick at the 68:46 mark when Herbert Flores was taken down in the box. Alex Hernandez converted the kick for his ninth goal of the year to make the score 3-1. The Rebels then cut the lead to one at 84:30 as Brendon Bain sailed a long pass over the Hornet defenders to Salvatore Wise, who drove into the box and scored from 15 yards out to make the score 3-2. UNLV threw a furious attack at the Hornets over the last five minutes, getting several shots off but couldn't find the back of the net, and Sacramento State would leave with the victory.

Clitheroe finished with five saves in goal for UNLV, while Jeff Gibson posted seven for the Hornets.

UNLV will finish out the regular season on the road, taking on Denver on Thursday at 2:30 p.m., and then meeting Air Force in Colorado Springs, Colo., on Sunday at Noon.