LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - The UNLV softball team closed out its opening weekend of the 2015 season with a 14-3, five-inning setback to the #15/15 Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-0) Sunday morning. With the loss, the Rebels record in their Sportco Kick Off Classic rests at 3-2.

The Scarlet & Gray were held hitless through four innings by Minnesota pitching until the fifth and final frame. Sara Groenewegen (3-0) started the game in the circle and struck out eight in her four innings of work. In fact, she had a perfect game brewing until a fielding error negated it. Groenewegen carried a no hitter through four innings, but gave way to Kylie Stober in the fifth.

The Rebels welcomed Stober to the game by scattering a pair of singles off the bats of Chrissi Omalza and Lexie McKinnon. UNLV then loaded the bases when UM's Kim Smyth misplayed a grounder by Jamie DePippo at second base. Jade Yadao-Valez earned the team's first RBI when she was walked by Stober to plate Omalza. An RBI single by Garie Blando added a second score, while a bases-loaded walk to Fahren Glackin produced the third run.

The Golden Gophers struck first and often in the first with six runs off of five hits. Five different players were credited with RBI, two of which were off a double by Hannah Granger. They scored four more in the fourth with a trio coming off a home run by Madie Eckstrom. UM went with the long ball once more in the fifth when Erika Meyer hit a two-run shot in a four-run frame.

Kwyn Cooper was saddled with her first loss of the season, and fell to 2-1 in three appearances. Cooper surrendered nine runs off of nine hits. Francesca Foti, Janine Petmecky and Alex Petrolia also saw time in the circle for UNLV.

Groenewegan notched the win behind her four innings of action. She struck out eight against no walks.

UNLV returns to Eller Media Stadium next week with its Wilson/DeMarini Desert Classic (Feb. 12-16). The Rebels will play all four of their games at EMS, while others will split between the stadium and Stephanie Lynn Craig Park - a three-field complex - in nearby Henderson. The Scarlet & Gray will open up with BYU on Friday, Feb. 13 at 3:45 pm. They'll also face Northwestern (Saturday), UTEP (Sunday) and Utah (Monday).