Aug. 19, 2011

Box Score

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Three Rebels scored the first goals of their career to lead UNLV to a 3-0 victory over UC Riverside in the season opener for both women's soccer teams on Friday night in the UNLV Rebel Classic at Peter Johann Memorial Field. In the day's first game, UCSB and Idaho played to a 1-1 double-overtime tie.

In the UNLV contest, though the shots taken appeared to show a close game (UNLV held a 13-12 edge), UCR was never allowed to make a serious scoring threat. The Rebel defensive backline played a big role in that, holding the Highlanders to only six shots on goal, all of which were stopped by sophomore goalkeeper Kylie Wassell, who posted the fourth shutout of her career. UNLV meanwhile placed nine of its 13 shots on goal, with three of them finding the back of the net.

First on the scoreboard for the Rebels was freshman forward Jenna Howerton. Following a UCR foul, Brittney Flores sailed a long free kick to the right side of the post, and Howerton raced in and scored on a quick one-timer from 10 yards out to put UNLV up 1-0. That goal would hold up for the rest of the half, giving the Rebels a one-goal halftime advantage.

In the second half, UNLV worked the ball around after a corner kick, with Kristen Sankey holding the ball at the left top corner of the box. She slotted a pass over to the top right corner to Botehlo, who blasted a shot from 20 yards out that UCR goalie Jessica White had no chance of stopping, putting the Rebels up 2-0 in the 62nd minute. The game's third goal game in the final minute, as Jenna Wolfe outraced two defenders to a long ball, dribble past White who came out to challenge the attack and quickly shot from 12 yards out for the score.

UNLV will close out action in the Rebel Classic on Sunday, hosting UCSB at 1 pm. UCR and Idaho will play in the day's first game at 10:30 am, with both games at Johann Memorial Field.