Oct. 10, 2014 SEATTLE (UNLVRebels.com) -
Box Score
Las Vegas native Danny Musovski scored twice in the first 33 minutes to give UNLV a 3-0 lead in an eventual 3-1 victory at Seattle in a key WAC men's soccer contest on Friday night at Championship Field. In a game between the top two teams in the preseason poll, the Rebels knocked off the defending champions to move to 8-2-1 on the year and tie for first in the conference at 2-0. Seattle, the first team out in this week's NSCAA Top 25 poll, dropped to 5-4-1, 0-1-1 in league play. The eight wins for UNLV surpasses last year's win total, with at least eight more contests left to play.
"Tonight was a great win for us on the road against a very strong Seattle squad that has been nationally ranked this season," said UNLV head coach Rich Ryerson.
The Rebels made sure there would be no slow start offensively against the Redhawks as Musovski headed in a free kick from Julian Portugal in the 14th minute for an early 1-0 lead. The edge grew to 2-0 in the 31st minute when Rodrigro Fuentes kicked a shot as he fell to the ground. The shot was a slow roller, but thanks to a deflection off a Seattle player, it caught SU goalkeeper Shane Haworth off guard, and rolled over the goal line near the right post.
Just under two minutes later the advantage grew to three thanks to another Musovski goal. This time the freshman went in on a breakaway, and had Haworth guessing left before shooting to the right side for the score. It was the first multi-goal game of his career, and gives him four in the past four games. Seattle broke up the shutout in the 43rd minute when Alex Roldan chipped in a free kick from Kyle Bjornethun to close the Redhawks to 3-1.
That was the last goal of the game, as UNLV played a more defensive approach in the second half. The Rebels were outshot 8-1 after halftime after holding an 11-6 edge in the first half. However, only one of the eight SU second half shots was on goal, saved by UNLV goalkeeper Ryan Harding.
"Danny broke through with two goals in an excellently played first half by the entire team," said Ryerson. "Our guys showed fantastic pressure throughout the game, and were able to hold Seattle to a shutout in the second half. That gives up three more critical points in conference play."
Harding finished the contest with three saves, while Haworth posted two in the net for the Redhawks. Seattle finished with a 14-12 edge, only the second time this season the Rebels have been outshot in a game. Corner kicks were 4-3 in favor of UNLV.
The Rebels will close out their weekend road trip with a Sunday contest at Utah Valley in Orem at 10 am (PT).
