Aug. 27, 2004

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV women's soccer team's will have a tough matchup in their season opener, as the Rebels will open at home on Saturday night against 17th-ranked Kansas at 7 pm at Peter Johann Field. The Rebel-Jayhawk contest will be the second game of a doubleheader, as Long Island and Utah Valley State will face off at 4:30 pm. UNLV, under fifth-year head coach Dan Abdalla, is coming off a 9-9-3 record in 2003 and a fourth place finish in the Mountain West Conference. They return seven starters from last year, including all-region senior midfielder Annii Magliulo (eight goals, five assists, 21 points in 2003), and second team All-MWC junior goalkeeper Jenna Huff, who set new schools records last year with seven shutouts and a 1.07 goals against average. Kansas comes into the match after posting am 18-6-1 mark in 2003 while advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. They bring back nine starters, highlighted by junior forward Carolina Smith, a perseason Hermann Trophy candidate who posted 19 goals and three assists last year. The Rebels will play again on Monday night against Long Island, with the time set for 7 pm at Peter Johann Field.