University of Nevada Las Vegas
San Jose State
Rebels Cruise Past Spartans 4-0
10/2/2016 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
 | UNLV Rebels (4-7, 2-0) | Johann Field FINAL 4-0 | Gonzaga (1-8-2, 0-1-1) |  |
| Mehlich `8, Mehlich '17, Pitt '21, Musovski `79 | ||||
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com UNLV cruised to its second straight home conference victory on Sunday afternoon thanks to a three-goal first half, as the Rebels posted a 4-0 shutout over San Jose State in WAC men's soccer action from Peter Johann Memorial Field. Paired with Friday's WAC opening victory over CSU Bakersfield, the Rebels have outscored their conference opposition by a 7-1 score on the way to a perfect 2-0 mark in league play (4-7 overall).
Postgame interviews after the 4-0 win over San Jose State. pic.twitter.com/DwRF6Xp65A
- UNLV Rebel Soccer (@UNLVRebelSoccer) October 3, 2016
Freshman Timo Mehlich was the star of the first half thanks to the first multi-goal game of his career. He notched the day's first score in the 8th minute following a foul on the Spartans. Oscar Velazquez took the free kick, and tapped the ball to the right as Mehlich ran up and blasted a shot from 20 yards out into the back of the goal.
First goal of the game honors goes to @timomhl as he blasts in the quick pass off the free kick from 20 yards out. #UNLV pic.twitter.com/q1UC3Q430t
-- UNLV Rebel Soccer (@UNLVRebelSoccer) October 2, 2016
UNLV added to the lead in the 17th minute when Marquis Pitt drove down the left side, cut back to the middle of the field, entered the box and sent a low pass to Mehlich at the top of the box. Mehlich quickly settled the ball before sending in a shot to the left side of the goal, making it a 2-0 contest. That makes it four goals on the season for the midfielder from Germany.
Rebels go up 2-0 in the first off the second goal of the day by @timomhl #UNLV pic.twitter.com/gE2c4AS3Bi
-- UNLV Rebel Soccer (@UNLVRebelSoccer) October 2, 2016
Pitt again took the ball on offense later in the half but this time took things into his own hands, dribbling past four defenders and as the fifth Spartans challenged him, Pitt sent in a hard low shot to the right side. That was his third goal of the year, and gave UNLV a 3-0 edge. That would be the halftime margin as well. UNLV was actually outshot by SJSU int he half, but half of the Rebels shots resulted in scores (7-6 margin).
Marquis Pitt dribbles though the defense and blasts in a goal from the top of the box for a 3-0 #UNLV first half lead. pic.twitter.com/DVYOrGr8sA
-- UNLV Rebel Soccer (@UNLVRebelSoccer) October 2, 2016
UNLV took advantage of its three-goal margin to make sure everyone on the bench got playing time, with the Rebels using 11 subs after playing just three total on Friday night. The Rebels did not suffer a letdown it their defensive play though, giving up nine second half shots but again keeping the Spartans off the scoreboard for the team's first shutout of the season.
Junior Danny Musovski finished off the scoring for UNLV with his team-high sixth goal of the year. Maliq Cooper started the play when he took the ball down the right side before sending in a low ball across the front of the goal. Cody Massey was on the inside post, and tapped the ball to the middle for Musovski to easily finish off, putting the Rebels up 4-0 in the 80th minute.
And that's six goals on the season for @dmusovski, and the third this weekend. UNLV 4, SJSU 0. #UNLV pic.twitter.com/xxmIbEbm87
-- UNLV Rebel Soccer (@UNLVRebelSoccer) October 2, 2016
SJSU would finish with a 16-14 edge on shots, though shots on goal was 8-3 in favor of the Rebels. Both teams took four corner kicks each. Enrique Adame posted three saves in earning his first career shutout.
The Rebels are back in action on Thursday, Oct. 6, with a road contest in Edinburg, Texas, at UTRGV with a 5 pm (PT) start.
