Oct. 8, 2006

Box Score

SAN DIEGO - San Diego State's Jen Mello scored twice in the first 50 minutes, and the Aztecs posted the first four goals of the game to claim a 4-1 victory over UNLV in Mountain West Conference women's soccer action on Sunday afternoon.

UNLV (5-8-1, 0-2) actually outshot the home team in the first half 8-6, but Aztec goalie Cat Burson was very impressive in the net, coming up with three saves in each half. SDSU (5-7-1, 1-0-1) would take a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute, when Mello received a pass from Jessica Gordon and beat her defender before sending in a shot to the right corner. Mello added to the lead in the 50th minute, taking a cross from Heather Vandevanter and scoring on a shot to the upper left corner for a 2-0 Aztec advantage.

SDSU sealed the game with a pair of goals three minutes apart. The first came in the 56th minute off a Cat Walker header, with Mariko Strickland assisting on the score. Vandevanter then finished the scoring for the Aztecs in the 59th minute, on a shot to the upper right corner off an assist from Becky Ryan.

UNLV's lone goal came in the 82nd minute on a header by Niki Connolly, off an assist by Dani Morin. The Rebels finished the game with a 15-12 edge on shots, but were outshot 9-4 in the second 45 minutes. UNLV also held a 6-3 edge on corner kicks. Ciera Nero finished with six saves in goal for UNLV.

The Rebels will host their first MWC game of the year on Friday, as part of a doubleheader with the men's team. The UNLV women will play New Mexico at 5 pm, while the Rebel men will take on New Mexico in a MPSF contest at 7:30 pm, both games to be played at Peter Johann Memorial Field.