May 4, 2006

LAS VEGAS -

The UNLV men's soccer team will be under new direction in the 2006 season as Mario Sanchez became the program's fourth head coach, and if their recently completed spring season is any indication, things will definitely be looking up for the Rebels in the fall.

The returning players were subjected to a very intense and competitive weeks of training, with emphasis on improving the attitude and setting high standards for the team. The improvement was evident in their spring games, as the Rebels played a total of 12 games, and finished with a 10-0-2 mark. UNLV not only averaged over two goals a game over the stretch, they gave up just one goal over the final five games, coming against the UNLV Alumni squad.

With Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year Rod Dyachenko now playing for DC United in the MLS, several Rebels showed they are ready to fill the scoring void on offense. Leading the way in the spring was rising senior Martin Kenny, who scored a total of eight goals, including two hat tricks. A pair of rising sophomores were next in scoring, as midfielder Nicholas Paterson and forward Lamar Neagle both posted four goals apiece.

"The team is going home for the summer full of confidence and an eagerness to get back for the preseason in August," said Sanchez. "All of our returning players plan on training and playing alot this summer, and being more dedicated to the game. They should return fit and sharp, and be ready to make a run at a conference championship and an NCAA tournament berth."

UNLV Soccer Spring Results
February 16th - Toronto u19 Regional team, W 2-0March 4th - Cal State Bernardino, W 3-1March 4th - Cal Baptist, W 1-1April 1st - Las Vegas Strikers, W 3-2April 8th - Diamond Bar All Stars, W 3-2April 22nd - Alta Loma Arsenal, W 3-0April 22nd - UC Riverside, W 1-0April 25th - Alumni, W 1-1April 29th  - LV Premier, W 5-0April 29th - United FC, W 1-0