Sept. 10, 2010

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. (UNLVRebels.com) - Freshman forward and Las Vegas native Joaquin Rivas scored a golden goal with just over two minutes left in the first overtime to give the visiting UNLV men's soccer team a 2-1 victory at Stanford on Friday afternoon. Playing the first game at the newly renovated Laird Q. Cagan Stadium, UNLV recorded its first win over a team from the Pac-10 since the 1994 season to improve to 2-1 on the year, while the Cardinal dropped to 0-3.

The Rebels posted the first goal of the game late in the first half, as on a counterattack Robert Garcia fed a pass to Jonny Espinoza, and he slotted a shot into the goal for a 1-0 UNLV lead in the 35th minute. That lead almost held up for the rest of the game, but with under seven minutes to go the Cardinal would tie the game. Stanford's Garrett Gunther took a shot that was deflected by a Rebel defender, but the rebound came out to Taylor Amman, and he blasted the shot back into the goal in the 84th minute to tie the score at 1-1.

Stanford nearly ended the game in overtime when it had a two-on-one advantage but was not able to take advantage. The Rebels then counterattacked, with passes from Nick Marshall and Espinoza leading to a shot and score by Rivas.

It was a very even game on the scoreboard, with both teams taking eight shots in the first half, seven in the second, and one in overtime for a total of 16. Stanford had six corner kicks to five for UNLV, the Rebels had four saves to three, and UNLV also was whistled for 10 fouls while Stanford committed nine. Simon Cook made four saves in goal for UNLV, while Jason Dodson gave up two scores while making three saves for Stanford.

The Rebels will conclude play in the Cal Legacy Classic with a Sunday afternoon contest at No. 19 California at 2 pm.