Sept. 7, 2014 Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - UNLV is 4-0 for the first time since 1985 following a 4-0 win over Howard on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the Johann Memorial Classic in college men's soccer action at Peter Johann Memorial Field. The Rebels overcame a slow start with four second half scores to claim the co-championship of the tournament along with Bakersfield. Both teams finished with 2-0 records on the weekend and a +8 goal differential.
"We came out and played well today, we just didn't convert in the first half, we have to finish those chances," said UNLV head coach Rich Ryerson. "In the second half, we knew if we were patient we would get that first score and that would open things up. That's exactly what happened, and I was impressed with our overall defensive play today as well."
Though it took a half for the Rebels to make an impact offensively, the defensive backline was strong all game long, limiting the Bison to a total of one shot over the 90-minute game. UNLV would finish with a 24-1 overall edge on shots, taking 12 in each half. The 12 shots in the first half could not result in a goal for the home team however, as Bison goalkeeper Eric Hamilton collected seven saves in the half. An apparent UNLV score was also disallowed due to an offsides call.
The second half was a different story for the Rebels. Senior forward Salvador Bernal added to his WAC-leading goal total, notching his fifth of the season in the 47th minute. The shot from six yards out was assisted by Julian Portugal, and gave UNLV a 1-0 edge. The lead grew to 2-0 in the 53rd minute off Sebastian Hernandez's first score of the year. Corey Ackley started the scoring play when he sent a pass into the box from the right side. Hernandez chested the ball down in front of him, and on the bounce back up sent a hard shot to the right near post.
The lead stayed at 2-0 until the final part of the contest. Freshman Danny Musovski led to the goal as he drove into the box on the right side and slotted a shot across the cage. His shot would have been wide, but a Howard defender intending to clear the ball kicked it into his goal instead for an own goal. That put UNLV ahead 3-0 in the 82nd minute. Junior Julien Dragomir finished off the scoring with his first career strike in the 85th minute, tapping in a corner kick from Blake Balelo on the far side from a couple of yards out.
Hamilton finished the day with 13 saves for Howard. Rebel goalkeeper Ryan Harding did not need to make a save on the way to his second shutout of the year. Harding was one of four players named to the all-tournament team. He was joined by Defensive and Overall Tournament MVP Kyle Mellies, Bernal, and Andy Rodriguez.
UNLV returns to action on Friday, Sept. 12, when it hosts the UNLV Nike Invitational on Friday and Sunday at Peter Johann Field. The Rebels will open by hosting top-20 UMBC on Friday at 7 pm, before facing Detroit on Sunday afternoon in a 1 pm contest.
Johann Memorial Classic All-Tournament Team
Kyle Mellies, UNLV
Salvador Bernal, UNLV
Andy Rodriguez, UNLV
Ryan Harding, UNLV
Nicholas Clever, Bakersfield
Julian Zamora, Bakersfield
David Velasquez, Bakersfield
Simon Doherty, Bakersfield
Corey Tom, IPFW
Jacob Murphy, IPFW
Andy O'Donoghue, IPFW
Frederick Todd III, Howard
Rahman Alarape, Howard
Outstanding Defensive Player
Kyle Mellies, UNLV
Outstanding Offensive Player
Julian Zamora, Bakersfield
Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Kyle Mellies, UNLV
Standings
1. UNLV (2-0) co-champion
Bakersfield (2-0) co-champion
3. IPFW (0-2)*
4. Howard (0-2)*
* - Tie broken by goal differential
