LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com Kaitlyn Amaral - UNLV Athletic Communications Student Assistant

Redshirt freshman forward Michaela Morris was very eager to start her career on the Rebel soccer team, and she showed that this past weekend with a stellar performance that earned her Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week. That came off a two-game stretch in which she posted four goals while leading UNLV to the team title at the UTRGV Invitational.

"I was surprised and definitely happy," said Morris. "We had just landed back in Vegas and all of my teammates congratulated me and Chi (Chidera Akubuilo, the Defensive Player of the Week). There's a lot more work to do though, so my focus is on the next game."

Morris began the weekend by scoring the first goal against Fairleigh Dickinson and then eventually the game-winning goal to give the Rebels their first victory by a 3-1 margin. That wasn't enough for Morris, as she then came out in Day Two against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and added two more goals in the Rebels' victory over. The 6-0 win resulted in the third-most scored goals in a single game since 2013 for UNLV.

Morris was determined to make a comeback this season after suffering a hamstring injury in the preseason training her first month on campus. She has bounced back to getting right on the field during offseason to make herself better.

Head Coach Chris Shaw acknowledged Morris's comeback, "I think it made her better because she had a year to acclimate to the training at this level and college life. Also it gave the coaching staff the opportunity to help her develop her game."

Morris knew she would have to make a adjustment to the Division I level out of high school if she wanted to have success. "College soccer is a lot different from high school soccer," said Morris. "It has a higher intensity level, quicker in play, and it's a lot more physical."

Morris came to the Rebels out of Coronado High School In Las Vegas where she was named Gatorade Player of the Year in 2015. That came after a season in which she posted state-highs in three different categories: assists (18), goals (45), and points (108) while she also led the Cougars to the state championship. Morris made a name for herself throughout her time as a Cougar after earning Southeast League Player of the Year honors while also picking up three All-Southern Nevada mentions. She finished out her prep soccer career with 89 goals and 37 assists.

"I think we are going to be really good, we have good team chemistry, and hopefully that will lead to a really good season," said Morris. "My morale is higher this season compared to the damper of my injury last season and it's a great feeling to be able to contribute on the field."

The Rebels are geared up to take on Northern Arizona in their first home game of the 2016 season on Friday at 7 pm in the UNLV Invitational.