Sept. 4, 2015 Box Score
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) -
Senior Denali Murnan's header in the 100th minute gave UNLV a second straight overtime victory, a 4-3 thrilling win over Utah Valley in women's college soccer action Friday afternoon from Johann Memorial Field. With the win the Rebels improved to 3-2 on the year, while also dropping the Wolverines to 3-2 as well.
The game was a shootout in the first half with a total of five goals, while the seven total goals scored were the most in a UNLV home game since a 5-4 loss to Hawaii on Aug. 19, 2012. Murnan's goal was also the first time the Rebels have posted golden goals in consecutive games since the end of the 2013 season with victories at Wyoming (overtime) and at home over Nevada, Reno (double overtime).
"We prefer to take care of business in regulation but OT builds character," said UNLV head coach Chris Shaw. "When you find a way to win two OT games against tough opposition, we can build off that and take a lot off that going into the rest of the season."
Three of UNLV's first four games ended in a 1-0 score, but Friday's game quickly showed it would be a different kind of contest after the teams combined for five goals in the first 30 minutes. That includes back-to-back scores just 29 seconds apart in the opening eight minutes. UNLV led off the scoring in the eighth minute, when a free kick from Hanna Alba on the left side landed on the right side of the box. Hayley Wilson came up with the ball and scored from eight yards out for her first goal of the year, putting the Rebels up 1-0. The Wolverines tied the game on the next possession, a goal from Sydney Fitzpartrick to make the game 1-1.
Utah Valley went ahead 2-1 in the 25th minute on a score by Sheridan Fox. Again a quick score followed, this time from Jodi Barber after she took a cross from Denali Murnan and banged in a shot off the crossbar to the right side in the 27th minute, Samantha Weber also assisted on the goal. The Wolverines that answered in the 30th minute, taking a 3-2 edge on a score from Jamie Brown in the 30th minute. That would be the score going into halftime as well.
After the flurry of scoring in the first half, things were relatively quiet after halftime. The Rebels held Utah Valley to just two total shots in the second half, and would tie the score in the 71st minute after a player was fouled inside the box. Chideria Akubuilo took the penalty kick for the Rebels and would covert for her second career goal, trying the game at 3-3. UNLV would take five total shots in the second half but couldn't find a second score, and the game would go into overtime. Both teams took one shot in the extra period and it was the Rebels who made their scoring chance pay off. With the clock nearing the end of the extra period, Kendall Sandoval sent in a high cross from the right side. Murnan was in the box and headed a curving ball that found its way inside the right post, giving UNLV the golden goal with 33 seconds on the clock.
UNLV finished the game with a 12-8 edge on shots, and 6-5 on shots on goal. The Rebels also took 11 corner kicks to two for the Wolverines. Jordan Sallee made two saves in goal for UNLV, while Jessica Duffin also posted two saves for her Utah Valley squad.
The Rebs return to action on Sunday, Sept. 6, with a 2 pm contest at Cal State Fullerton.
