Oct. 8, 2010

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Despite playing down a man for the final 30 minutes, UNLV was able to score a shorthanded goal to earn its conference victory of the season, 1-0 over Air Force in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's soccer action on Friday night from Peter Johann Memorial Field. Jonny Espinonza scored the game-winner for UNLV, improving the Rebels to 4-6 on the year, 1-1 in league play, while the Falcons dropped to 2-8, 0-2 in the MPSF.

Both teams had their chances in the first half, with the best coming from UNLV as it looked like Stephen Sifuentes had scored off a header, but it was disallowed due to an offsides call. Things did not look good for the home squad in the second half when Sifuentes was given a red card, leaving UNLV to play with 10 players for the rest of the game. But the call seemed to energize the Rebels, who increased the pressure with their scoring attacks. That paid off in the 74th minute when Ricky Abrego passed a ball back out to Espinoza on the right side, and he blasted a shot from 25 yards out into the back of the net for the score.

Rebel goalkeeper Simon Cook posted six saves in goal to come up with his first career shutout, while for the Falcons, Patrick Gould was credited with two saves. Air Force also had a team save in the first half, with a defender kicking a Nick Marshall ball off the goaline.

UNLV held a 12-11 edge on shots for the night, and took seven corner kicks to three for Air Force.

The Rebels return to action on Sunday when they host Denver at 1 pm at Johann Memorial Field.