Nov. 17, 2014 LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV learned its opening round opponent on Monday morning, as the Rebels will go to California to face UC Irvine in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament on Thursday at 7 pm in Anteater Stadium. The Rebels, in the tournament for the first time in 26 years, which was easily the longest drought of any of the 48 teams in this year's field, received an automatic bid to the NCAA postseason after winning the WAC Tournament championship on Sunday in a penalty kick shootout (4-2).

This is the Rebels' sixth all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and first since 1988. UNLV also made the field in 1983, 1984, 1985, and 1987, while its best finish was in 1985 when it reached the regional final before falling at UCLA 1-0 in double-overtime. This will be the 24th meeting all-time between UNLV and the Anteaters. While the Rebels hold a commanding lead in the series at 18-5-1, UCI has won the past three meetings, including two by 4-0 scores. The most recent meeting was this season in Las Vegas on Sept. 26, a 4-2 victory by the then-No. 4 ranked Anteaters.

UNLV head coach Rich Ryerson is also one of only five coaches in this year's tournament that are leading their alma mater into the tournament as a coach while also having participated as a player in the NCAA Tournament for their school. Ryerson is joined by Jorge Salcedo (UCLA), George Gelnovatch (Virginia) Todd Yeagley (Indiana) and Brian Grazer (Saint Louis).

The Rebels come into the tournament after turning in one of the best years in school history. Their current record of 14-4-3 is tied for fifth all-time at UNLV in most wins, while they are also tied for the third-most wins in the nation , just one behind Syracuse and Coastal Carolina. While UNLV has turned in one of its best defensive seasons in years in leading the WAC with 10 total shutouts, its the offense that's carried the team to the next level. UNLV has scored 44 goals this season, tying for second-highest in the NCAA this year and the most by a Rebel squad since scoring 50 in 1989.

UC Irvine earned an at-large bid after a 14-5-3 season. The Anteaters finished second in the Big West South Division standings, and then lost a penalty kick shootout to Cal State Fullerton after ending the Big West championship game in a 0-0 double-overtime tie.

For ticket information for Thursday's game, please call UC Irvine Tickets at (949) 824-5000 or email athletics.tickets@uci.edu.