Sept. 22, 2004
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - Despite holding a 21-13 edge on shots and getting several strong scoring chances, UNLV continued its struggles on offense as the Rebels were shutout by San Diego State 2-0 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's soccer season opener for both teams on Tuesday night from Peter Johann Field. UNLV falls to 1-4 and 0-1 in the MPSF with the loss, while the Aztecs won their first of the year to improve to 1-4-1, 1-0 in the league.
Both teams entered the game having scored just once thus far this season, but the Aztecs broke out of their drought early in the first half. Trey Meek came down the right side of the box, and after making a move past the Rebel defender, found himself alone against UNLV goalie Peter Clitheroe, and slotted a shot to the right post for a 1-0 lead at the 16:34 mark. Rebel senior midfielder Boomer Arbelaez nearly tied the game midway through the first half, as he first blasted a shot that was just barely deflected past the left post by a defender. On the ensuring corner kick, Arbelaez again had the ball near the top of the box, and again blasted a shot to the left side that caught SDSU goalie Tally Hall out of position, but an Aztex defender just inside the left post stopped the ball right at the goalline.
UNLV continued to threaten in the second half, getting off 11 shots in the final 45 minutes, but could not get their shots on target, as Hall was only forced to make two saves in the game. The Aztecs sealed the game with a score at the 71:59 mark, when Eric Wohl collected a rebounded shot off the post from a corner kick, and sent the ball in for a 2-0 edge. Nick Clemens and Matt Couch were credited with assists on the score.
Clitheroe finished with six saves in goal for UNLV, while Arbelaez recorded eight of the Rebels' 21 shots in the game. Meek led SDSU with seven shots, including five on goal.
The Rebels will take to the road this weekend for a two-game road trip. First up is a Friday game at Cal State Northridge with a 4 pm start, followed by a game at No. 2 UC Santa Barbara on Sunday at 2 pm, the Rebels' third ranked opponent of the season in their first seven games.
