Sept. 23, 2009
LAS VEGAS -
UNLV men's soccer weekly game notes
In what was expected to be a rebuilding year, the UNLV men's soccer team has instead gotten off to another outstanding start as it stands at 4-1-2, the squad's best record since a 5-2 beginning to the 1998 season. UNLV is also riding a five-game unbeaten streak, with the Rebels' lone loss coming in the final minute of the game. UNLV's performance in the first three weeks of the season has also led to a spot at No. 10 in this week's NSCAA Far West Region.
Now UNLV will take on its toughest challenge of the season, going to Los Angeles to take on 10th-ranked UCLA on Sunday afternoon in a 5 pm contest in Los Angeles. This is the first meeting between the two since a 3-0 win by the then No. 25-ranked Bruins on their home field on Sept. 25, 2005. UNLV trails in the all-time series 2-18-2, with the last victory coming in the 1984 season.
Scouting The Rebels...
The biggest impact this year has come from freshman forward Nick Marshall, who is currently first in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation and 15th in the nation with six goals, while his 16 points also ranks him first in the league and 16th in the NCAA.
He's not the only freshman that ranks high in the league, as freshman midfielder Zach Kupher is tied third in the league in both points (nine) and goals (four). Fellow classmate Roberto Farfan is also tied for second in the MPSF with three assists. Junior midfielder Stephen Sifuentes also ranks in the top 10 in the conference in points with six (two goals, two assists).
Junior Roland Swanson has been strong in goal, as he is second in the conference with a 1.05 GAA while his three shutouts is a MPSF-high.
Scouting the UCLA Bruins...
The No. 10 UCLA Bruins (3-1) are coming off of a tough match that saw them come from behind to beat Cal State Fullerton 2-1 on Sept. 17. UCLA will first face San Diego on Friday night before hosting on Sept. 27.
The Bruins have outscored their opponents 8-3 so far this season and have been led offensively by freshmen Chandler Hoffman and Evan Rayner, who each have two goals. Senior David Estrada leads the team in assists, as he has dished out five on the year thus far. In goal, senior Brian Perk is the normal starter but is currently with the U.S. U-20 National Team, leaving backup Brian Rowe to take over his spot.
