Nov. 14, 2008
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Rebels (8-8-1 overall, 3-6-0 MPSF) dropped a 3-1 contest at Peter Johann Memorial Field to the Denver Pioneers (9-6-2, 8-0-1) on Friday evening. The Rebels jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead only to watch the Pioneers rattle off three unanswered goals to take the match. The loss extends UNLV's losing streak to four straight, while Denver has gone 7-0-2 in its last nine.
UNLV got things started quickly with a goal in the fourth minute (3:30) when Ben Haugland knocked in his third goal of the season. Daniel Cruz was credited with an assist on the goal, as he slotted a pass into the goal mouth from the right side of the box.
The Rebels nearly pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 14th minute, but an offside call negated a possible goal. Nicholas Paterson took a free kick into the box, but Lamar Neagle was called offside before heading the ball into the net.
Denver evened things up in the 22nd minute (21:23) when Joey Mathot found a loose ball in the box following a blocked shot off the foot of Sam Garza. Mathot managed to pick up the ball and place it in the lower-right corner past UNLV keeper Hawk Mummey.
The Pioneers broke the stalemate in the 53rd minute (52:23) on their second loose-ball opportunity of the game. Kyle Christensen picked up his own blocked through-pass and ran into the box untouched before rocketing a shot into the lower right of the net.
Garza added an insurance goal for DU in the 60th minute (59:45) when he recovered a long pass from Christensen from inside the Pioneer defensive zone. Prior to colliding with Mummey and a Rebel defender, Garza managed to tap the ball hard enough to watch it trickle over the goal line.
DU out-shot UNLV by a 14-to-11 margin, although the Rebels owned a seven-to-five advantage in shots-on-goal.
The contest was a bit rough, as the teams' totaled 27 fouls in the match. Three yellow cards were dolled out in the first half, while none were issued in the second.
UNLV returns to action on Sunday, Nov. 16 (1:00 pm) against the Air Force Falcons. The day has been designated as Senior Day, as the Rebels will recognize six seniors who will be playing in their final games.
