Oct. 8, 2010
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
UNLV weekly men's soccer notes
The UNLV men's soccer team plays their first home games of the MPSF schedule this weekend, and look to post their first league win of the season after a tight 2-1 overtime loss at New Mexico on Oct. 1. UNLV will begin the weekend by taking on Air Force on Friday at 7 pm, and will end against Denver on Sunday with a 1 pm start. Both games will be at Peter Johann Memorial Field.
This is a key weekend for the Rebels, as they get a chance to pick up a pair of wins over divisional opponents on Rebels' home field. Only the top two teams in each MPSF division are guaranteed spots in the postseason MPSF tournament (top six overall will advance). UNLV comes into Friday's game tied with Air Force for third with zero points, as the Falcons lost to Denver by a 5-1 score on Oct. 2.
Players To Watch
The Rebels are paced by their two starting forwards, senior Stephen Sifuentes and sophomore Nick Marshall. Sifuentes is third in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with 11 points off four goals and three assists, while Marshall is tied for fifth with three goals and two assists. Thanks to a four-point performance against Mount St. Mary's, Las Vegas native and junior forward Richard Abrego has moved up to a tie for ninth in the league with six points (two goals, two assists).
UNLV is playing two goalies this year. Junior Simon Cook has played the majority of the season, and has a 1.67 GAA with 22 saves. Freshman Ryan Harding meanwhile has appeared in three games, and has a 2.50 GAA with 10 saves.
Scouting Air Force
The Falcons are 2-7 on the season, with the two wins coming in overtime against Cal Poly on Sept. 5 and against Oral Roberts by a 4-0 score on Sept. 19, with both games being played at home. The Falcons have not fared well away from home though, with an 0-3 mark.
Leading the team this year is Kyle Moses with five points off two goals and one assist. In goal is Matt Underwood, who is posting a 2.05 GAA and has made 36 saves in 747:22 minutes of action.
Scouting Denver
The Pioneers are tied for first in the Mountain Division after a 5-1 win over Air Force in the MPSF opener. Denver is 4-3-2 overall, and has won four of its last six, with the two losses coming at the hands of Stanford and Penn State.
Pacing the squad is the MPSF's leading scorer, as Jarod Stigall has five goals and four assists for 14 points. Alex Tarnoczi follows with eight points off two goals and four assists. In goal for the Pioneers is Teale Stone, who has a 1.64 GAA and 36 saves.
Next Time Out
UNLV will be on the road to replay this weekend's matches, with the Rebels facing Air Force on Friday, Oct. 15 at 6 pm (PT) in Colorado Springs, Colo., and that will be followed by a Sunday, Oct. 17 contest at Denver at 12:30 pm (PT).
