Oct. 13, 2010
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
UNLV weekly women's soccer notes
The UNLV women's soccer team will play its final home games of the 2010 season this week with a pair of key Mountain West Conference contests. First up is a Thursday night matchup against Wyoming at 7 pm. Saturday will be Senior Day against Air Force at 1 pm. Both games will be at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
After dropping its first two MWC games, this two-game stretch has become the most important of the year, as a pair of wins would almost guarantee the Rebels a spot in the MWC tournament after missing out last year, as only the top six teams advance. Making this weekend even more important for UNLV is the fact that the final three games of the regular season will all be on the road, at BYU, Utah and San Diego State.
While UNLV is looking for its first win in MWC play, it faces two teams that will be looking to accomplish the same feat (Wyoming is 0-1-1 and Air Force is 0-2).
Saturday will be the final home game for seniors Ashleigh Shoughro, Amanda Forrester, Sarah Naranjo, and LaChere Anglin.
Players To Watch
Senior forward Ashleigh Shoughro returned to her scoring form from her sophomore season, as she currently leads the Mountain West in both goals (10) and points (23), and ranks in the top 25 in the nation in both. Three more players also have at least 10 points this year, sophomore Colette Jepson (four goals, three assists, 11 points), senior Amanda Forrester (four goals, two assists, 10 points) and sophomore Macy Jo Harrison (three goals, four assists, 10 points).
In goal for UNLV is freshman keeper Kylie Wassell, who has a 1.41 GAA, 47 saves and one shutout on the year.
Scouting Wyoming
The Cowgirls are 6-7-1 on the season, but have struggled as of late, with a 1-4-1 mark in their last six games. The one win over that stretch came over future league opponent Boise State by a 1-0 score. The Cowgirls do have one point in MWC play, thanks to a 1-1 tie at Utah on Oct. 8.
Leading the team this year is Nahiomy Ortiz with 10 points off three goals and four assists. Liz Oreilly meanwhile has a goal and six assists for eight points. In goal is Courtney Merkle, who holds a 1.54 GAA with 60 saves and three shutouts.
Scouting Air Force
The Falcons are having one of the best seasons in school history, bringing in a winning record of 7-6-1 into this week of play. However, Air Force is still looking for its first league win after one-goal losses to Utah and at BYU.
It's a balanced attack, with three players with 10 or more points, as Stephani Patterson has 12, Bridgett Murphy 11 and Megan Dozier 10. In goal is Kelly Stambaugh, who is posting a 0.93 GAA with 60 saves and three shutouts.
Next Time Out
UNLV will play a pair of road games at two teams playing their final seasons in the MWC, as the Rebels will take on BYU in Provo, Utah on Thursday, Oct. 21 at 6 pm (PT). That will be followed by a Saturday, Oct. 23 game at Utah at 12 pm (PT) in Salt Lake City.
