Sept. 3, 2004

Irvine, Calif. - The UNLV men's soccer season begins with the UC Irvine College Classic, as the Rebels take on the Toreros of the University of San Diego on Saturday at 5 p.m. UNLV will be the first of two games preceding an UC Irvine and Navy matchup beginning at 7:30 pm. UNLV had a 3rd-place finish last year in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Conference as well as a 6-12 overall record under head coach Barry Barto, who is in his 23rd season with the Rebels. Seven starters and 15 letterwinners return for the Rebels this season. Top returnees include two All-MPSF first-team selections in senior midfielder Victor "Boomer" Arbelaez (four goals, four assists, 12 points in 2003) and junior forward Rod Dyachenko (two goals, four assists, eight points). San Diego finished the 2003 season with a 12-4-4 record and a second-place West Coast Conference finish. The Toreros return four starters and 14 letterwinners. Top returnees include senior midfielder and First Team All-WCC selection Kevin Wilson, who posted two goals and two assists in the 2003 season, as well as sophomore Lance Friesz, who held a .76 GAA mark last season. The UC Irvine Classic closes for the Rebels on Monday with a UNLV vs.Navy face-off at 11:30 am.