Feb. 20, 2008

LAS VEGAS - The UNLV Men's Soccer team opened up its 2008 spring season with an impressive 4-2 win over German Youth Pro Team Borussia Monchengladbach on Tuesday night. The German visitors are a team of players hoping to one day sign a professional contract to play in the Bundsliga (German First Division).

In front of an estimated crowd of 1,000 people, Borussia opened the scoring on a corner kick in the 12th minute of the game. The Rebels quickly responded with goal by Lamar Neagle after some fine combination play between Neagle and Richard Abrego. The Rebels then made it 2-1 with a goal from Abrego off an assist from Ben Haugland. After a pulsating first half, the Rebels took the 2-1 lead into half-time.

The second half saw more of the same fast paced end-to-end action. Borussia opened the scoring in the second half with header from a free kick making it 2-2. Again the Rebels quickly responded. Less then two minutes after giving up the tying goal, the Rebels scored on a Neagle header off a driven free kick from John Crawley to put UNLV up 3-2. With fifteen minutes to play, the Rebels then took a commanding 4-2 lead with a score from Haugland. For the remaining fifteen minutes, the Rebels were able to finish the game off for an impressive 4-2 win.

"For our first spring game, the team played very well," said UNLV head coach Mario Sanchez. "Borussia is a very strong team. There players are fighting to become professionals. I thought we moved the ball well and stayed focus throughout the game."

Next up for the Rebels is the annual Alumni game set for Saturday, March 1 at 6:00 pm.