Oct. 9, 2011

Box Score

DENVER (UNLVRebels.com) - Denver scored three straight goals in the first half to claim a 3-1 win over UNLV in Mountain Pacific Sports Federation men's soccer action on Sunday afternoon at Ciber FIeld.

UNLV (2-7, 1-1 MPSF) scored the day's first goal, as sophomore midfielder Jose Mendoza scored his second goal of the season, and second of the weekend in the sixth minute for a 1-0 Rebel lead. Julian Portugal assisted on the play as he sent a pass to Mendoza in the middle of the field, and he knocked in a shot from 25 yards out for the UNLV score.

Denver (2-8, 1-2 MPSF) responded in the 27th minute with a score by Jarod Stigall, scoring off a give-and-go with Joe Eubanks that resulted in a Pioneer goal to tie the game at 1-1. Blair Jeralds would then score what would be the eventual game-winner in the 33rd minute. The scoring play was started after a UNLV foul, which resulted in a free kick. Brian Hoyt took the free kick, and Alex Tarnoczi attempted to head the ball in, but it would instead bounce off the crossbar to Jeralds, who quickly placed the ball into the back of the net for a 2-1 Denver lead.

Hoyt started the final goal for Denver when he stole the ball from UNLV and passed off to Stigall. He sent a pass to Tarnozci, who would dribble into the box before scoring his first goal of the game, putting DU up 3-1 in the 43rd minute.

Denver held a 17-9 edge on shots for the game, and 7-3 on shots on goal. UNLV had the advantage on corner kicks, 5-2. Ryan Harding finished with four saves in goal for UNLV, while Oliver Brown made two for the Pioneers.

UNLV returns to action this weekend, beginning with a Friday afternoon contest with Air Force at 4:30 pm, part of a double-header with the UNLV women's team at Peter Johann Memorial Field.