Oct. 31, 2008
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - Numerous missed scoring chances were the story of the day for UNLV, as the Rebels dropped their Senior Day matchup to New Mexico 2-1 in Mountain West Conference women's soccer action on Friday afternoon at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The loss sends UNLV to a tie for fourth place in the conference standings with UNM at 3-3-1, and the two teams will face each other again on Wednesday at 3 pm in the first round of the MWC Tournament on the UNLV campus.
New Mexico would score the first game of the goal in the 34th minute when Alexis Ball blasted a shot from outside of the box that sailed to the top left corner, over the hands of Rebel goalkeeper Alicia Lugo. UNLV's best chances in the first half to get on the scoreboard came from Ashleigh Shoughro. She broke past a defender in the opening minutes and unleased a shot from close range that was saved by UNM goalkeeper Shannon Adranga. In the 37th minute, Shoughro went down to the ground in the box against two defenders, leaving the Rebels hoping for a possible PK attempt but play continued. In the final minute of the first half, Shoughro had another close shot that forced Adranga to make an impressive save, blocking the ball to the right side, and no Rebels were in position to score on the rebound.
In the second half, UNLV penetrated into the box and had a series of three shots on goal from five yards or closer, but a goalie save, a team save, and the crossbar helped the Lobos keep the game scoreless. The Rebels finally broke into the scoring column two minutes later when Niki Connolly passed back a ball to senior Haley Partridge inside the box, and Partridge tapped a soft shot past Adranga for a 1-1 tie game in the 56th minute.
New Mexico answered back in the 62nd minute when Jennifer Williams sent in a long cross from the right side that was headed in by Hannah Hand. UNLV's best chance to tie the game came in the 68th minute when Shoughro dribbled down to the right side of the goal before passing off to Partridge who came racing into the box. With the goalie beat, Partridge tapped a shot, but it went just wide of the goal by two feet. That would be the final shot allowed by the Lobos, who held on for the victory.
UNLV held a 12-11 edge on shots, and 7-5 advantage on shots on goal. Corner kicks were also in the Rebels favor at 5-0. Lugo finished the game with three saves, while Adranga posted five.
