Sept. 18, 2009
Box Score
LAS VEGAS - Trailing by one score for the majority of the game, the UNLV men's soccer team scored a tying goal with less then six minutes to play in the second half, and survived playing a second overtime period shorthanded to post a 1-1 tie with Illinois-Chicago on Friday night in the second game of the UNLV Rebel Classic from Peter Johann Memorial Field. With their second tie in three games, the Rebels move to 3-1-2, while UIC is still looking for its first win as the team now stands at 0-2-3 for the season.
The Flames took a 1-0 lead in the 37th minute when Kevin Stoll dribbled into the box, evaded several UNLV defenders and unleashed a blast to the far right side of the goal. For the next 47 minutes the Rebels got off several close shots, and even nearly tied the game late in the first half on a shot that hit the left post and banked down just in front of the goalline before bouncing back out.
Freshman Zach Kupfer scored the tying goal for the Rebels following a foul on UIC, which set up a free kick on the right side about 30 yards out in the 85th minute. Kupfer took the kick, and sent a hard shot curving towards the top right corner of the goal that Flame goalkeeper Jovan Bubonja had no chance at stopping.
The Rebels were dealt a setback in the 99th minute when Jamie Calvo received his second yellow card of the game, which resulted in an ejection and forced the team to play down a man for the rest of the night. Despite playing shorthanded, UNLV came up with the best scoring opportunity of the extra periods, as following a Rebel corner kick, Kupfer took a hard shot again from the right side that hit the inside of the right post, but would bounce back into the field of play in the 103rd minute . UNLV held a 5-2 edge on shots during the two overtime periods, but would settle for the draw.
Rebel goalkeeper Roland Swanson posted four saves in goal for UNLV, while Bubonja was credited with six for the Flames. UNLV held a 16-8 edge on shots and 5-2 on corner kicks.
UNLV will close out action in the Rebel Classic on Sunday afternoon when it faces Florida Gulf Coast at 1 pm.
