Nov. 9, 2007
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - San Jose State freshman midfielder Efrain Burgos, Jr. scored twice as the Spartans of SJSU went over the .500 mark with a 3-1 win over UNLV at Peter Johann Memorial Field Friday night. UNLV falls to 6-8-2 overall and 2-5 in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
The game was a lot of back and forth throughout the first ten minutes, with no team being able to take control of the match. In the 11th minute, Nick Cukar was brought down just outside the box, giving the Spartans a free kick. Cukar converted on the ensuing cross, putting his head on a Gavin Wenyon service to give San Jose State the early 1-0 lead.
Just before halftime, the Spartans were awarded a free kick just along the near sideline and the clock was stopped. The UNLV coaching staff and players started to walk towards the bench for halftime, not knowing that the clock was stopped, and Burgos, Jr. took advantage beating UNLV keeper Calvin Bailey to the near post to send the Spartans to the intermission with a 2-0 advantage.
"We looked very timid and unsure about ourselves tonight," said UNLV head mentor Mario Sanchez. "We have played two bad games this season, and unfortunately, they have both come against this San Jose State ballclub."
UNLV tried to mount a comeback in the second half, having many scoring opportunities throughout the second stanza. The best scoring chance for the Rebels came midway through the second half, when Daniel Cruz left a ball for Nicholas Paterson in the middle of the field, one on one with Spartan goalkeeper Lewis Sweeney. Paterson struck it well, but Sweeney was on top of this game, making a nice save to keep the Rebels off the scoreboard.
The Rebels got on the board in the 87th minute when Lamar Neagle converted on a penalty kick following a foul in the goal mouth. The goal was Neagle's ninth score of the season, which is currently tops in the MPSF. The penalty score was also UNLV's first PK goal since Oct. 26, 2003 when Alex Hernandez drilled one against Sacramento State. Burgos, Jr. scored a goal with 10 seconds remaining to stretch the lead out to the final margin of victory.
SJSU outshot the Rebels 16-12 on the evening, also topping the corner kick category 6-3. Lewis Sweeney was superb for the Spartans (9-8-0, 4-4 MPSF), making six saves in the win. Bailey made three saves in net for the Rebels, who lost just their third game at home this year.
"I look back, and really...I'm not sure that we did anything right to speak of tonight," said Sanchez. "We have a challenge now, have a good practice and get ready for Sacramento State on Sunday."
UNLV is back in action Sunday, as it entertains the Hornets of Sacramento State at 1 PM for Senior Day. Mason Trafford, Mark Owens and Hakim Zermouni will be honored prior to the contest, the Rebel's last home match of the season.
