Sept. 8, 2006
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - UCF's Roberta Pelarigo scored two second-half goals to rally the Golden Knights past UNLV 3-2 on Friday night in the second game of the UNLV Rebel Classic women's soccer tournament from Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels suffered their first home loss in seven games dating back to last season, and dropped to 2-2-1, while UCF improved to 3-1-1. In the first game of the night, Arizona State scored the lone goal of the game to post a 1-0 victory over Denver.
The game was in UNLV's hands in the first half, beginning with the first goal of the night from Jessica Destito. The scoring play began on a corner kick from Katie Carney from the right side to the far left post of the goal. Tanya Roberts then headed the ball back towards the center of the goal, and Destito was in position to tap the ball in for the score in the 23rd minute.
An own goal by UNLV in the 32nd minute tied the score at 1-1, when a ball served into the box was deflected twice by two Rebel defenders before sailing into the goal. UNLV would quickly recover however, as just a little over three minutes later, Taylor Fuentes scored her first career goal when she stole a pass and sailed a long high and perfectly placed shot towards the goal. It dropped in the top right corner of the goal, just over UCF goalkeeper Jennifer Manis' hands, making the score 2-1 in the 36th minute.
UCF was held to just three shots in the second half, but made them count. The first shot came from Kate Begley, and it was deflected out by UNLV goalie Ciera Nero, but the ball came out right to Pelarigo. She quickly sent it to the back of the net (64th minute). Pelarigo then scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute, taking a long cross from the right side from Kate McCain, and shooting to the far right corner past the diving Nero for the third goal of the game.
UNLV held a 9-7 edge on shots, but took just two in the second half. Nero finished with two saves in goal, while Manis posted four saves for the Golden Knights.
Arizona State (3-1-1) opened the second half with a goal almost identical to Fuentes in the second game, as Lara Kezer sent a high lob shot from 30 yards out that just fell over Denver (3-1-1) goalkeeper Dani Wiley's hands for a 1-0 score, a lead that would hold up for the win.
UNLV will next play Denver on the final day of the Rebel Classic at 1:30 pm, while UCF and Arizona State will play in the first game at 11 am, with both games at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
