Sept. 23, 2004

LAS VEGAS - Coming off its first MPSF loss of the season, a 2-0 setback to San Diego State on Wednesday night, the UNLV men's soccer team ventures out of conference play for the last time this season as they will play a pair of road games in California this weekend. First up is a Friday match at Cal State Northridge at 4 pm, followed by a Sunday contest at No. 2 UC Santa Barbara at 2 pm.

Though the Rebels (1-4, 0-1) put together a strong offensive performance on Wednesday night, outshooting SDSU 21-13, their problems in finding the back of the net continued as they have scored just one goal this year in five game, a score by junior Rod Dyachenko in a 1-0 win over Navy. Junior Peter Clitheroe is the starter in goal for UNLV, and has a 1.84 goals against average and 30 saves on the year.

Cal State Northridge brings a 2-3 record into Friday's game, having lost three of its last four games, the last two to ranked opponents (3-2 to New Mexico, 3-1 at UCLA). Willie Sims has a team-high three goals for the Matadors, while Alec de Mattos has two goals and one assist for five points. Radamee Lafaurie is the goalie for CS Northridge, and is boasting a 2.00 goals against average and 21 saves.

The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos are off to the best start in school history, and their win over then No. 1 Indiana on Sept. 18 broke the Hoosiers' 21-game winning streak. UCSB is 6-0 on the season, and has risen to No. 2 in the NSCAA poll, their highest ranking in school history, and they have won five of their six games by shutouts. Drew McAthy is leading the team with five goals and one assist for 11 points, while Tyler Rosenlund has tallied two goals for four points. Dan Kennedy has been outstanding in goal, with a 0.16 goals against average and 27 saves.