Sept. 28, 2007
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - For the second straight weekend, the Rebels (4-3-2) got their offense from Daniel Cruz and Lamar Neagle, as they cruised to a 2-0 victory Friday evening over Cal State Bakersfield. The win marks the first time since 2005 that the Rebels have won back-to-back matches, and signifies their best record through nine games since 2002 when UNLV started out 6-3.
The first half was all UNLV, as the Rebels got both of their scores in the opening stanza. In the 17th minute, Cruz took a nice feed from Ben Haugland and then fired a ball through two defenders from the top of the goal box for the score. In the 38th minute of play, UNLV was awarded a free kick on the right sideline from about 40 yards away. John Crawley calmly stepped forward and connected on a perfect service that found Lamar Neagle's head and the back of the net for the strike.
That was all UNLV would need, as Calvin Bailey logged all 90 minutes, making two saves for the win and his second shutout in as many outings. UNLV out shot CSUB 14-9, with both teams being awarded three corner kicks on the evening. Play did get a bit chippy in the second half, as a small skirmish broke out with two players receiving red cards and an automatic ejection. A total of eight cards were handed out, by far a season high for both teams.
With tonight's goal, Neagle continues to lead the Rebels on the score sheet with five tallies, though closely followed by Cruz with four. Haugland's assist was his first on the campaign, while Crawley's helper on the second score was his second assist of the season.
CSUB goalkeeper Steve Trojanowski made two saves in net, as his club fell to 2-5-3. Roadrunner Mike Esparza had a few quality chances in the second half, but couldn't quite connect.
The Rebels will take the rest of the weekend off before finishing their eight-game homestand off next weekend against Air Force and Denver, their first two games of MPSF play. Friday's game with the Falcons starts at 7:30 p.m. on the friendly confines of Peter Johann Memorial Field.
