Sept. 14, 2003
Box Score
OMAHA, Neb. - Helped by a two-goal performance from tournament MVP Alex Hernandez, the UNLV men's soccer team won its second straight game with a 3-2 victory over SW Missouri State to claim first place in the Ameritas Classic on Sunday afternoon in Omaha, Neb. The Rebels (2-4) finished the classic with a 2-0 record to finish in first, and host Creighton defeated Portland 2-1 to give both teams 1-1 records for the weekend, while SMS (2-2) went 0-2.
Hernandez, a senior midfielder who also scored once in UNLV's 2-0 win over Creighton on Friday, scored the first goal of the day at the 31:09 mark on a one-timer from Rod Dyachenko. The Rebels added to their lead right before the half ended, as Herbert Flores scored his first goal of the season, tapping in a missed Joern Meyn shot that hit the crossbar at 44:50 for a 2-0 advantage.
The Bears answered back at the 58:22 mark, when Ryan Crawford drove past Rebel goalie Peter Clitheroe and scored on the empty net to make it 2-1 in favor of UNLV. Hernandez then added his second goal of the game, taking a through pass from Mark Stock and sending it in from 10 yards out for the 3-1 edge at 64:26. SMS cut into the lead at 74:30 when Jim Levesque headed in a cross from Jamal Sutton, but the Rebel defense held strong the rest of the game for the victory.
UNLV was outshot 26-6 in the game, but only six of the Bears' shots were on goal. Matt Johnson started in goal for the Rebels, and made one save before coming out in the 28th minute. Clitheroe replaced Johnson, and finished with three saves and two goals allowed. Junior defender Krisitan Paanenen, Stock, and Matt Johnson were named to the All-Tournament team.
UNLV returns home to host the Rebel Tournament this weekend, featuring Bowling Green, Drake, and San Diego State. The Rebels will take on Drake on Friday, Sept. 19 at 7:30 p.m., and then Bowling Green on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Noon, with all games being played at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
