LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - One of the newest members of the UNLV women's soccer program comes into preseason camp after a very eventful summer, as freshman Chidera Akubuilo helped lead her Beach Futbol Club squad to the 2014 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship title on July 27th month in Germantown, Md. at the Maryland Soccer Complex.

Akubuilo, a native of Torrance, Calif., was an outside back for the Beach FC, who rolled over its five opponents in the tournament, first outscoring its three pool play teams by a 13-0 margin to reach the semifinals. There, Beach FC knocked off BRYC Elite 2-0, and posted another 2-0 score in the championship game, this time over Cleveland United to win the national title.

"It was a honor to be playing for this team and for us to have advanced so far with the national championship on the line," said Akubuilo, who will be a center back for the Rebels. "We had at least 10 girls on the team that will be playing in college this fall. The teams we played in the touranment were all very good, the games were played very fast and are a high level of play, and I hope that will help prepare me for the college game this fall with UNLV."

Akubuilo and Beach FC reached the national tournament after first winning the national league tournament, and posted scores of 7-0 (Sting (TX)), 3-0 (Match Fit Beat) and 3-0 Gretna Prima Green to win pool play. Akubuilo added a score as well in the third victory over Gretna Prima. Following the semifinal win, the championship game was a scoreless affair until late in the second half. "It was a close game in the championship, but then we got a penalty kick (in the 72nd minute), and that broke things open for us,." said Akubuilo. She is now looking forward to bringing that high level of play to the UNLV squad, who will hit the field for the first time this season on Aug. 15 with an exhibition against Evansville.