Sept. 29, 2010
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
UNLV Weekly Soccer Notes
The UNLV men's soccer team (3-5) will open its conference schedule on the road in 2010, as the Rebels will play their Mountain Pacific Sports Federation opener at New Mexico (3-3-2) in Albuquerque on Friday night at 6 pm (PT).
This is the first of two meetings between the two teams this year, as the MPSF has been split into Mountain and Pacific divisions, with the top two in each division joining the next two best teams in the six-team postseason tournament at the end of the season in Sacramento. UNLV will play the other three teams in its division (Air Force, Denver, New Mexico) twice this year, with the final matchup against the Lobos also serving as the regular season finale on Nov. 6 in Las Vegas.
While the Rebels have the top offense in the MPSF, averaging 2.0 goals per game, UNLV is also giving up a league-high 1.88 gpg.
Players To Watch
The Rebels are paced by their two starting forwards, senior Stephen Sifuentes and sophomore Nick Marshall. Sifuentes is tied for second in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation with nine points off three goals and three assists, while Marshall is tied for fourth 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 eighth 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 1.64 GAA with 18 saves. Freshman Ryan Harding meanwhile started the Rebels' last game, and is expected to start against the Lobos.
Scouting New Mexico
The Lobos posted a 3-2-2 mark in the non-conference portion of their schedule, with wins over St. Louis, Georgetown and Buffalo. Of the two losses, one came in their last outing, a 1-0 setback at Dartmouth on Sept. 25.
Pacing the squad in 2010 is Lance Rozeboom with a pair of goals and an assist. Levi Rossi meanwhile also has posted two goals for UNM. In goal for the Lobos is Justin Holmes, who has a 1.10 GAA this season with 13 saves.
Winners Of The "Ryerson Cup"
UNLV's contest against Mount St. Mary's on Sept. 24 was unofficially called the "Ryerson Cup", as the two teams are coached by brothers and former Rebel standouts Rich (UNLV) and Rob (Mt. St. Mary's) Ryerson. This was the first-ever meeting between the two as opposing coaches, and Rich came out on top this year thanks to a 4-1 victory.
Next Time Out
UNLV returns home to host a pair of MPSF games. First up will be Air Force on Friday, Oct. 8 at 7 pm, followed by a Sunday, Oct. 10 contest against Denver at 1 pm.
