Sept. 4, 2010

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV men's soccer team dominated the action on Saturday afternoon in its season-opener with a 16-5 edge on shots, but the Rebels failed to convert on their scoring chances while Valparaiso would score on a counterattack with less then three minutes to go to pull out a 1-0 victory in the season-opener for both teams at Peter Johann Memorial Field.

The Rebels held the ball in Valpo's side of the field for most of the afternoon, but could not solve the Crusaders' packed-in defense. UNLV actually held a 9-0 advantage on shots in the first half, 7-5 in the second, and it was a 6-1 difference in shots on goals for the home team. It was Valparaiso that came up with the day's lone goal though as following a missed UNLV shot, the Crusaders' Jake Freisinger sent down a long pass to Guy Shabtay. With Rebel goalie Simon Cook coming out to challenge, Shabtay make a move to his right and unleased a shot on the empty net for the score and a 1-0 lead in the 88th minute.

UNLV looked to have tied the game less then a minute later, but Joaquin Rivas' score was called off due to an offsides call.

The Rebels will close out the Nike Invitational on Monday afternoon, hosting Alabama A&M at 1 pm at Peter Johann Memorial Field.