Oct. 29, 2008
LAS VEGAS -
Complete Release in PDF Format
In its last game before hosting next week's conference tournament, the UNLV women's soccer team will look to hold on to third place in the MWC as they take on New Mexico in a nationally televised contest on The Mtn. Friday afternoon at 3:30 pm at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The game will also be Senior Day for two Rebel players (Brie Kuhne, Haley Partridge), and the Rebels are hoping to treat them to a win for the Halloween day game. All fans who come dressed in costume will receive free admission.
UNLV (11-5-2) will enter the game tied for third in the standings along with TCU at 10 points (2-3-1 conference records). With second-place Utah a heavy favorite to win on Saturday at Air Force (the Falcons have not won a MWC game since 2003), the best UNLV can do is finish third and receive the No. 3 seed in the MWC Tournament. To receive the No. 3 seed, UNLV either needs a win and a TCU tie or loss at SDSU, or a tie and a TCU loss. Win, lose or draw on Friday, the Rebels are assured of a spot in the league tournament, in which the top six teams advance, while New Mexico could be in danger if Wyoming pulls off an upset of BYU on Saturday.
The Rebels have been almost unbeatable on their home field the past two seasons (14-1-3), and have allowed just eight goals during that stretch. UNLV has been just as successful against the Lobos in recent years, having won the last five meetings between the two schools. That includes the last two meetings in Las Vegas, both of which were 1-0 overtime victories, with the first one coming in the 2005 MWC championship game.
Players To Watch
Sophomore forward Ashleigh Shoughro, a transfer from San Diego and a Las Vegas native, leads the Rebels and is second in the Mountain West Conference with 28 points off 11 goals (including three game-winners), and six assists. Junior midfielder Brianna Moore is next with 16 points (tied 9th), while junior forward Niki Connolly has 10 points. Junior Alicia Lugo continues to shine in goal, as she is first in the conference with 4.59 saves per games, and also has six shutouts, which gives her 19 in her career, and a 0.87 GAA.
Scouting New Mexico
The Lobos bring a 7-5-5 record and 2-3-1 mark in league play into Friday's contest. New Mexico will be battling for a spot in the MWC Tournament as well, as UNM is currently tied for fifth with San Diego State, with both teams in action on Friday in the regular season finale. This will be just the sixth road game of the year for New Mexico, who lost their first three (at Denver, at UCLA, at TCU), before recording wins at Air Force and at Wyoming.
UNM is led this year by Alexis Ball with 14 points (five goals, four assists), while Hanna Hand has posted two goals and eight assists for 12 points. Shannon Adragna has 65 saves on the year with a 1.05 GAA and seven shutouts.
